Francis Ngannou’s Trainer Sends a Clear Message to Dana White About a Return to the UFC originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Francis Ngannou has faced a difficult stretch in recent months—both professionally and personally. From grieving the loss of his son to navigating uncertainty in his combat sports career, the former UFC heavyweight champion has been forced to reevaluate his path. Yet, in the midst of these hardships, there are growing signs that a major return could be on the horizon. Recent comments from those closest to Ngannou suggest that his story in the UFC might not be over.
In a revealing interview on the Home of Fight YouTube channel, longtime coach Eric Nicksick opened up about Ngannou’s mindset—and his willingness to revisit the UFC. ‘I think enough time has passed. I would love to see somehow, some way that they can mend these fences and get back in competing in the UFC,’ Nicksick shared. ‘I think this is more about business than it is about ego. At least it is from Francis’ side.’
Nicksick emphasized that Ngannou still values the freedom to be compensated like an independent contractor, stating, ‘He wants the opportunity to be paid… for whoever needs your services for.’ When discussing Dana White, he added, ‘I think Dana is a smart enough businessman that it’s not about his ego… the past is the past… why not explore those options?’
With Jon Jones’ return looking increasingly unlikely and the UFC heavyweight division in flux, a comeback for Ngannou could be a game-changing move.
It’s believed that Ngannou still has one more fight left on his PFL contract, but if circumstances align, his return to the UFC could bring back the intrigue and power the heavyweight division is currently missing.
Related: Sean O’Malley Issues Bold Claim Ahead of UFC 316 Showdown
Related: Conor McGregor Reacts to Sean O’Malley’s Camp Ahead of UFC 316
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
