Francis Ngannou is not negotiating with UFC and has no plans to fight Jon Jones.
That’s according to coach Eric Nicksick, who clarified comments he made earlier this month regarding Ngannou’s possible return to the Octagon (read them here). Nicksick insists he was merely speaking “as a fan” but it was enough to catch the attention of UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
And PFL head cheese, Donn Davis.
Don’t hold your breath.
“It was two fans of the sport, myself and Dan Tom, huge fans of the sport, and where the heavyweight division’s at right now as a whole,” Nicksick said on YouTube. “Yeah, Francis wants to make himself available to whatever options that he needs and I don’t know what his deal is with the PFL, he may not even be able to negotiate with anyone, I don’t know. This was not ever me speaking on behalf of Francis, this was me speaking on behalf of us being fans, not even as Francis’ coach. It’s like, dude, this is what we would all love to see.”
UFC CEO, Dana White, recently told reporters he would “probably not” entertain a “Predator” return.
Ngannou, 38, vacated the UFC heavyweight title back in 2023 and signed with PFL after failing to come to terms on a championship contract. “The Predator” went on to score beaucoup bucks in boxing and locked up a victory inside the PFL “SmartCage.”
At this point, UFC needs Ngannou more than Ngannou needs UFC.
