Francis Ngannou Open to Discussing Potential UFC Return, Coach Eric Nicksick Says

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou's coach, Eric Nicksick, said Friday that Ngannou returning to UFC is within the realm of possibility.

In an interview with Home of Fight, Nicksick said Ngannou would be open to talks about re-joining UFC after leaving the promotion in early 2023:

Beginning at the five-minute mark of the interview, Nicksick expressed his belief that the UFC heavyweight division is "in shambles," and he is hopeful Ngannou and UFC can "mend these fences."

When asked if Ngannou would be willing to have some discussions with UFC, Nicksick responded, "100 percent," noting that any past issues were about business rather than being personal in nature.

Ngannou, 38, went pro as an MMA fighter in 2013 and joined UFC two years later. He rose through the heavyweight ranks, beating Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 260 in 2021.

Following a successful defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022, Ngannou and UFC were unable to come to terms on a new contract, so he was stripped of the title upon leaving the company one year later.

Ngannou subsequently signed with the Professional Fighters League in May 2023, but before having his first PFL fighter, he shifted his focus to boxing.

In October 2023, Ngannou faced former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who was undefeated at the time.

Ngannou shockingly knocked Fury down once and took him the distance with Fury being judged the winner by split decision.

Given his impressive performance in his boxing debut, Ngannou returned to the squared circle in March 2024 to face another former world heavyweight champion in Anthony Joshua, but he didn't fare nearly as well with Joshua knocking him out in the second round.

In February 2024, it was announced that Ngannou would make his return to MMA and his PFL debut against the winner of the bout between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator.

After Ferreira's victory, he clashed with Ngannou at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, and Ngannou won by first-round knockout to become the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion.

In UFC, Jon Jones is the reigning heavyweight champion, but he has fought only once since beating Gane in March 2023 due to injuries.

Tom Aspinall is the interim UFC heavyweight champion, and while a fight between Jones and Aspinall has long been anticipated, it has yet to come to fruition.

Ngannou's return to UFC would breathe new life and star power into the heavyweight division, but for now, he remains locked in with PFL on a multi-fight deal.