UFC contender Francis Ngannou expresses interest in reconciling with the UFC, though a contract with the PFL stands in the way.
Cashing In: Ngannou's Exit from UFC and His Sextuple Million-Dollar Boxing Stint
After a reckless split from UFC in 2023, due to financial wrangles and a boxing itch, ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou made a killing—banking tens of millions—despite falls to giants, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. His coach, Eric Nicksick, initially gushed about Ngannou's eagerness for UFC peace, but in a MMA Mania interview, he conceded, "I spoke like a giddy fan, not for Francis. His PFL contract—a mouthful, ain't it?—probably bars such talks yet."
UFC boss Dana White previously shot down the prospect of Ngannou's comeback, and chances of patching things up are slim. Fans fantasize about a showdown between Ngannou and Jon Jones, but as of now, the Cameroonian isbrandishing his PFL contracts like a prized trophy.
👇 Dive Deeper:
- Muhammad Mokaev weighs in on Alexsandra Pantoja vs. Merab Dvalishvili odds
- Bakuli on his Usman huddle: "He kept mum with me"
- Alexander Volkanovski ponders a joust with Movsar Evloev or Yair Rodriguez
While there's some willingness from both sides to mend fences, a UFC return for Ngannou would necessitate a substantial agreement between PFL and the UFC.
Bookmakers have shown interest in potential mixed-martial-arts bouts featuring Francis Ngannou, with a highly anticipated match against Jon Jones being a popular prediction. Given Ngannou's multi-fight deal with PFL, any UFC comeback would likely require negotiations between the two organizations for his release.
