The chapter on Francis Ngannou`s career within the Ultimate Fighting Championship might still be open.
It has been over three years since Ngannou last competed inside the UFC octagon and two years since his departure as a free agent to join the PFL. During this period, Ngannou has had only one mixed martial arts bout, where he secured a knockout victory over Renan Ferreira. His combat sports focus has also included professional boxing matches.
While the timing and certainty of the 38-year-old striking star`s next fight remain unclear, his coach, Eric Nicksick, believes that a potential return to the UFC is a viable career path down the line.
Speaking with Home of Fight, Nicksick mentioned Ngannou`s desire for a boxing match, potentially against Deontay Wilder. However, he emphasized the current state of the heavyweight division across the sport, suggesting Francis could significantly enhance the UFC`s heavyweight landscape, which he described as somewhat stagnant. Nicksick expressed a strong wish to see fences mended between Ngannou and the promotion, enabling a return to competition there.
Ngannou`s exit from the UFC in January 2023 was under strained circumstances, occurring while he was still the reigning heavyweight champion. His final fight for the organization was a successful title defense via decision against Ciryl Gane. The departure followed lengthy contract negotiations that ultimately resulted in Ngannou becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Despite public criticism from UFC CEO Dana White directed at Ngannou multiple times, Nicksick is convinced that resolving differences for the sake of business is achievable. Nicksick stated with “100 percent” confidence that Francis is open to such a move, viewing it primarily as a business decision. He explained that Ngannou, acting as an independent contractor, aims to be compensated appropriately for his services and desires the freedom to pursue opportunities like boxing. Having proven his ability to earn significantly outside the UFC, Nicksick believes Ngannou`s motivation now centers on finding the highest level of competition, which he feels is found in the UFC.
Ngannou`s six-year tenure in the UFC was marked by spectacular moments, including some of the most powerful knockouts seen in MMA history, alongside significant victories over notable fighters such as Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes, Andrei Arlovski, and Ciryl Gane.
Nicksick argued that Ngannou`s return would benefit not only “The Predator” himself but also inject much-needed energy into the UFC heavyweight division, which has faced periods of inactivity involving undisputed champion Jon Jones and sidelined interim champion Tom Aspinall. He suggested that Dana White, being a smart businessman, would likely prioritize the company`s benefit over past personal disagreements, seeing that “the past is the past.” Nicksick specifically pointed to the long duration Aspinall has held the interim belt as an indicator of the division`s need for revitalization, concluding that bringing Ngannou back would add considerable value and help “get things moving.”
Following Nicksick`s statements, Jon Jones took to social media to offer his perspective. Jones indicated he had heard about Ngannou`s continued interest, calling a potential matchup a “real superfight” that involves a clash of champions and established legacies, rather than just temporary hype. He contrasted their careers – Ngannou a former UFC belt holder and Jones a long-standing champion – describing them as “Two kings from different roads.” Jones believes facing Ngannou would be a fight that genuinely enhances his own career narrative.
