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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Coach Hints at Major Comeback for Francis Ngannou
UFC Coach Hints at Major Comeback for Francis Ngannou originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and current PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou left the world's most elite mixed martial arts (MMA) organization on bad terms, however he might be open to a return. Advertisement He won the UFC title in 2021 against Stipe Miocic by knocking him out in the second round, marking the pinnacle in his life journey from homelessness to heavyweight king. Ngannou's reign included a successful title defense over Ciryl Gane, where he showcased his grappling to win. It was later revealed that Ngannou fought Gane with a Grade 3 MCL tear and ACL damage, making the win even more impressive. About a year later, he was stripped of the title after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract. Ngannou advocated for financial freedom and respect but left the promotion for the PFL. Since leaving the UFC, he's lost boxing matches to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou returned to MMA last October and defeated Renan Ferreira via ground and pound. Now, he's assessing all of his options, but staying busy in the gym. Advertisement 'He's training, he looks happy to be back in the gym with the team,' MMA coach Eric Nicksick said. 'He's been asking for that Wilder fight, and if that happens, great, but right now the heavyweight division is kind of in shambles. There's no real direction, and that creates an opportunity.' Ngannou left the UFC to chase prize fights and generational wealth, which he acquired. According to Nicksick, he is open to negotiations to return. 'I think this is more about business than it is about ego. At least it is from Francis's side. He just wants to be treated like an independent contractor, paid fairly and given the freedom to pursue other opportunities. And he did that. He went out, boxed, made a lot of money, and proved himself,' Nicksick added. Advertisement 'Where does his motivation come from now? It's not about money anymore. It's about competition. And the best competition is in the UFC.' The current state of the UFC's heavyweight division with undisputed champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall is unknown. Jones is thinking of retirement, while Aspinall just wants a shot at being undisputed. Could Ngannou be the answer the UFC needs? 'Dana's a smart businessman,' Nicksick said. 'I think he's level-headed enough to say: the past is the past. Let's explore the future. Look at the heavyweight division right now, what are we doing? Tom Aspinall is holding an interim belt for nearly 600 days. It's time to get things moving.' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou allegedly ‘involved' in fatal crash killing girl, aged 17
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is alleged to have been involved in a fatal road incident in his native Cameroon. According to reports, a 17-year-old girl in the Omnisports District of Yaounde passed away as a result of a collision with a motorcycle-riding Ngannou. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Cameroonian outlets Lebledparle and ActuCameroun reported that the victim suffered severe injuries to her arm and leg. She was rushed to the hospital by Ngannou but was unable to recover from her fatal injuries, tragically passing at the Yaounde General Hospital. Ngannou, 38, is said to be 'devastated' by the fatal crash, The Sun reports. It's claimed the Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has yet to issue a statement on the accident, paid for the victim's 'medical expenses.' SunSport has reached out to Ngannou's representatives for comment. The crash is the latest tragic incident involving the pride of Cameroon, who entered the boxing world in October 2023 and March 2024 for showdowns with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Last April, it was announced that Ngannou's 15-month-old son, Kobe, had sadly passed away. 'The Predator' heartbreakingly opened up on Kobe's death during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. He said: 'Kobe had some malformation on his brain, which is something that we didn't know. 'He passed out twice. The first time was in Cameroon, we took him to the hospital. They didn't find anything. 'The second time was in [Saudi Arabia], we took him to the hospital. They ran a lot of exams, they didn't do anything. 'They did the EEG, they didn't do the [CAT] scan or MRI, because according to them, their conclusion was that he had a swollen lung. 'That is what was pressing his chest and stopping him from breathing and it created that thing. 'After all those exams, they gave him some medicine, that he's going to be OK. 'Nothing to worry about. Because at first, they even thought about asthma. 'They gave, like, a ventilator, and then afterwards, after some research they took it out. It [made me] confident.' Ngannou tried to call his family for updates on his son's condition after leaving Cameroon for a Dubai training camp but was unable to get through. He continued: 'I tried to call, I wanted to talk to him and I was on the bike. 'I called his mom and his mom didn't pick up the phone. 'I'm like, 'After I'm done, I'm going to go take my shower, lay in bed and call him.' 'Thirty minutes after, I was on the leg machine, my phone rang and it was my little brother. 'He said, 'Bro, things are not going well here.' I'm like, 'What is it?' '[He said,] 'Kobe, he passed out, he's not breathing, we are at the hospital, they kicked me out from the room.' 'I'm like, 'What's happening? As we are talking, he's also trying to get information, so I lost him for like three or four minutes.' After calling back, Ngannou heartbreakingly heard the nurse telling his brother that Kobe had sadly passed away. He continued: '[She said,] 'Well, he's gone.' Just like that. He's gone. ''What do you mean he's gone? How come he's gone? ''This kid was 15 months [old], he was bigger than 15 months. 'He was growing. He was the most joyful, happy kid around. What do you mean he's gone? Gone where?' That was it.' Ngannou returned to MMA action last October, TKO'ing Renan Ferreira in their Saudi Arabian showdown. And he was overcome with emotion after stopping the Brazilian, breaking down in tears before dedicating the victory to his late son. Ngannou bravely wept: 'I can't think about anything other than my son, Kobe. 'I only took this fight because of him, I took the fight for him. 'I hope they can remember his name because without Kobe, we wouldn't be here tonight. I wouldn't have fought.'
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou ‘involved in fatal motorcycle crash as girl, 17, killed despite his efforts to save her'
TRAGEDY Ngannou is said to have been left "devastated" by the accident , Senior Digital & Print Combat Sports Reporter FORMER UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is alleged to have been involved in a fatal road incident in his native Cameroon. According to reports, a 17-year-old girl in the Omnisports district of Yaounde passed away in the incident following a collision with a motorcycle-riding Ngannou. 2 2 Cameroonian outlets Lebledparle and ActuCameroun reported that the victim suffered severe injuries to her arm and leg. She was rushed to the hospital by Ngannou but was unable to recover from her fatal injuries, tragically passing at the Yaounde General Hospital. Ngannou, 38, is said to be "devastated" by the fatal crash. The Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has yet to issue a statement on the accident, is said to have paid for the victim's "medical expenses." The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou ‘involved in fatal motorcycle crash as girl, 17, killed despite his efforts to save her'
FORMER UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is alleged to have been involved in a fatal road incident in his native Cameroon. According to reports, a 17-year-old girl in the Omnisports district of Yaounde passed away in the incident following a collision with a motorcycle-riding Ngannou. Advertisement 2 Former UFC heavyweight champion has been involved in a fatal car crash Credit: GETTY 2 The 38-year-old was riding a motorbike during the accident Cameroonian outlets , and She was rushed to the hospital by Ngannou but was unable to recover from her fatal injuries, tragically passing at the Yaounde General Hospital. The Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has yet to issue a statement on the accident, is said to have paid for the victim's "medical expenses." Advertisement READ MORE ON NGANNOU SunSport has reached out to Francis Ngannou's representatives for comment. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou ‘involved in fatal motorcycle crash as girl, 17, killed despite his efforts to save her'
Ngannou is said to have been left "devastated" by the accident TRAGEDY Ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou 'involved in fatal motorcycle crash as girl, 17, killed despite his efforts to save her' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is alleged to have been involved in a fatal road incident in his native Cameroon. According to reports, a 17-year-old girl in the Omnisports district of Yaounde passed away in the incident following a collision with a motorcycle-riding Ngannou. 2 Former UFC heavyweight champion has been involved in a fatal car crash Credit: Getty 2 The 38-year-old was riding a motorbike during the accident Cameroonian outlets Lebledparle and ActuCameroun reported that the victim suffered severe injuries to her arm and leg. She was rushed to the hospital by Ngannou but was unable to recover from her fatal injuries, tragically passing at the Yaounde General Hospital. Ngannou, 38, is said to be "devastated" by the fatal crash. The Professional Fighters League Super Fights Heavyweight Champion, who has yet to issue a statement on the accident, is said to have paid for the victim's "medical expenses." SunSport has reached out to Francis Ngannou's representatives for comment. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
