Francis Ngannou isn’t ruling out a UFC comeback just yet. According to his longtime coach Eric Nicksick, the former heavyweight champ is “100%” open to returning to the UFC — if the matchup and timing are right.
Ngannou’s public split from the UFC in 2023 made headlines, but he wasted no time making an impact elsewhere. He signed with the PFL and made a thunderous debut, knocking out Renan Ferreira in the first round to claim the PFL’s Superfight title. Surprisingly, he hasn’t fought in the SmartCage since.
He also dipped into boxing — and nearly stole the spotlight from the sport’s elite. His razor-close decision loss to Tyson Fury stunned the world, and though Anthony Joshua stopped him in two rounds, Ngannou proved his power translates across disciplines.
Now, his coach says that competitive itch is coming back. “Enough time has passed,” Nicksick told reporters. “Francis still wants the best challenges. And the best competition is in the UFC.”
Rumors of a mega-fight against Jon Jones have resurfaced, though no deal is on the table yet. Whether he returns to the UFC or makes another PFL appearance, one thing’s certain: Ngannou isn’t finished writing his legacy.
