Francis Ngannou returned to the UFC phase phase for the first time in almost two years to support Kamaru Usman tonight.
The legendary former heavyweight champion has been persona non grata with the promotion since an explosive exit in early 2024 who saw him leave with the belt. He is now signed at PFL, but has also had a number of large money boxing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
However, he appeared tonight in a prominent role on stage with Usman during the ceremonial weightings for his fight with Joaquin Buckley in UFC Atlanta. The couple is good friends and seems to regularly support each other during their fighting.
Francis Ngannou makes a surprise UFC performance at UFC Atlanta
Fans were amazed this evening when Francis Ngannou first appeared at a UFC event in years. His relationship with Baas Dana White, who was not present, is at best icy and in the worst case one of the most bitter in sport.
His love for colleague -African champion Kamaru Usman, however, surpasses everything, and he has put his problems with the promotion aside for his big comeback fight. The 'Nigerian nightmare' has not fought since 2023, when he was closely defeated by Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi.
Now, with Ngannou in his corner, he is set up an exciting comeback that starts against the renowned striker Buckley. The PFL star even put on UFC equipment to support his friend, which was perhaps the most shocking of all.
Francis Ngannou is reportedly viewed the UFC referee
For years, Francis Ngannou gathered against the control of the UFC over MMA and his excursions in the ring and then the PFL Cage were considered great successes for hunters. But in recent weeks his coach Eric Nicksick has plagued a potential return to the Octagon.
There is one last superfight for Ngannou, who will be 39 this year, waiting in the UFC Heavyweight Division; The current undisputed champion Jon Jones. The champion is enthusiastic about the fight despite continuous calls for a Tom Aspinall Unification.
“Enough time has passed, I would like them to recover these fences and go back to competing in the UFC,” Nicksick's coach told Home of Fight.
“I think it is more about things than ego, at least it is on the part of Francis. Where does his motivations come from? It's not about money, it's about competition. And the best competition is in the UFC.”