The possibility of Francis Ngannou returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship remains open, according to his coach Eric Nicksick.
It has been over two years since Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, left the promotion as a free agent to join the PFL. During this period, he has competed in MMA only once, securing a knockout victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2023. Beyond this, he has been largely out of the spotlight, recently experiencing a tragic personal incident.
While the future fighting plans for the 38-year-old are uncertain, Nicksick believes a potential return to the UFC is a viable option for him down the line.
Speaking to Home of Fight, Nicksick commented, “I know that he’s been kind of asking for that [Deontay] Wilder fight, and if that’s something that comes up, great. I just feel like the heavyweight division as a whole is kind of in shambles… I think that he can help bridge that gap that the UFC is lacking in its star power when it comes to the heavyweight division.” He added, “I think enough time has passed. I would love to see somehow, someway that they can mend these fences and get back in competing in the UFC.”
Ngannou`s departure from the UFC in January 2023 occurred under strained circumstances, as he vacated the heavyweight title after failing to reach a new contract agreement. His final fight for the promotion saw him successfully defend his belt against Ciryl Gane via decision.
Despite past public criticism from UFC CEO Dana White towards Ngannou, Nicksick is convinced that both parties could set aside their differences for the sake of business.
“100 percent,” Nicksick stated. “I think this is more about business than it is about ego, at least it is from Francis’ side… It’s not about money, it’s about competition, and the best competition is in the UFC.”
Ngannou`s six-year tenure in the UFC was marked by spectacular moments, including some of the sport`s most devastating knockouts and significant wins over prominent heavyweights such as Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski, in addition to Ciryl Gane.
Nicksick argued that a return for “The Predator” would be mutually beneficial, helping to revitalize a heavyweight division currently impacted by the inactivity of undisputed champion Jon Jones and the holding pattern of interim champion Tom Aspinall.
“I think Dana is a smart-enough businessman that it’s not about his ego, it’s about what’s best for his company,” Nicksick remarked. “Look at the heavyweight division right now. What’s going on? You’ve got this poor guy in Tom Aspinall that’s been holding on to an interim belt for almost 600 days now… but it at least adds some more value to your heavyweight division if you go out and get a guy like him and bring him back. Let bygones be bygones, everybody’s making money, everybody’s happy, but it gets things moving.”
Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones later commented on Nicksick`s statements via Twitter.
Jones wrote, “I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested. Now we’re talking. That’s a real superfight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That’s the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view.”
