Francis Ngannou vacated the UFC heavyweight title and jumped to PFL because âThe Predatorâ was unable to reach a deal that was in line with his goals for his combat sports future. Aside from the money, Ngannou wanted to try his luck in the âsweet scienceâ and mix it up with some of the best heavyweight boxers in the world.
Now that Ngannou, who turns 39 in September, banked his boxing bucks and laid waste to the best heavyweight on the PFL roster, he may consider making his way back to the Octagon, assuming it makes sense from a business perspective. Thatâs according to longtime coach Eric Nicksick in a recent conversation with Home of Fight.
âEnough time has passed, I would love to see them mend these fences and get back to competing in the UFC,â Nicksick said. âI think itâs more about business than it is about ego, at least it is from Francisâ side. Now where does his motivations come from? Itâs not about money, itâs about competition. And the best competition is in the UFC.â
That would be an easy fix for UFCâs muddled heavyweight title picture, which remains in limbo after multiple setbacks and delays. Defending champion Jon Jones has been dragging his feet, much to the dismay of interim titleholder Tom Aspinall, so inserting Ngannou into the mix would make it much easier for fight fans to forget about âBones.â
The bad news, is that UFC CEO Dana White was awarded an honorary doctorate in holding grudges (just ask this guy). In addition, White â who once threatened to cut the Cameroonian for stinking up the joint â insisted he âwill never be in businessâ with âThe Predatorâ after the way things unfolded back in 2023.
Money talks?
Jon Jones is retiring-
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/1930998950078939271?t=nulkI-d9HhY_XWZ54rUEpw&s=19
That would be a great save for the UFC after seemingly losing Jon/Tom. Tbh its arguably the more legit no1 vs no2 HW fight. Doubt it happens though.
Sad to think we actually COULD have a semi exciting HW division under the right circumstances. Jon/Tom, Jon/Ngannou, Ngannou/Tom, Tom/Gane, Ngannou vs Pav, Volkov, a Gane rematch etc. Plus if they bought in guys like Nemkov, Malykhin, Reug Reug, Buchecha etc. Renan would be fun mixing it up with guys like Lewis, Tai and Rozenstruik on the fringes too.
Why are you including Jawn in any of these fights, he is scared to blemish his record of asterisks.
He doesnât want to fight LHWs let alone HWs.
I agree Francis vs Tom would be for best HW on the Planet.
As much of a prick as he is, he is still a big name and brings a big fight feel. Obviously in my hypothetical scenario hes like..you knowâŠnot as much of an asshole and actually willing to play ball instead of fucking things up. Wishful thinking I know.
Jones should fight both for him holding up the title
Donât allow Aspinall vs Francis to happen
You either go Jones vs Francis first or Jones vs Aspinall first
Sick of this guy holding up the division
Keeps saying Tom isnât worthy, Tom is the defending interim heavyweight champion, thereâs no one more deserving then him at the moment
So, they lie to Tom about Jones retiring
And make another fight after Tom is settled???
How is it that the #1 MMA promotion in the world has such a pathetic HW division?
Do big athletes just choose boxing, NFL and WWE over MMA?
Francis had bargaining power and they couldnât come to an agreement. Now he has none and knowing how petty the UFC brass is, theyâll lowball the shit out of him and still wonât come to an agreement unless Francis needs the money really bad.
Maybe Tom can fight Randy if this fight falls through
BOOOOOOOL SHITTTTTTTTTT ^