Francis Ngannou

G.O.A.T. recognize G.O.A.T. Kobe Bryant just praised the hell out of Conor McGregor -- saying the UFC fighter is an absolute "animal" ... who's a "genius" in the octagon. The Mamba was in NYC to promote his Body Armor sports drink at an event that included UFC stars like Cody Garbrandt, Dana White…

If you thought there wasn't a man alive crazy enough to call out former 2-time UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez, you're wrong ... 'cause TMZ Sports found the MMA badass willing to do it. We got Francis Ngannou -- the #6 ranked heavyweight in the UFC -- out in NYC, and we asked the 6'4" 260…