Francis Ngannou thinks it would take a lot to return to the UFC and does not see it happening.
Francis Ngannou will be watching the next UFC heavyweight title bout on TV just like the rest of the fight fans. Ngannou chose to leave the UFC and relinquished his heavyweight title in order to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. In the wake of his departure, the UFC has set up a title bout between former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane. Although Ngannou will not be holding that strap any longer he still considered himself the champion. He spoke to The Schmo about this and more in a recent interview.
“My life does it depend on a piece of metal, you know, that’s not why I was the champ. I was a champ because of what I have done and I think and that’s why I believe that I’m still the champ,” he said. “I was even the champ before, and I will always be a champ.”
Francis Ngannou sees a return to MMA in the future but not with the UFC
One of the main reasons Ngannou left the UFC was to pursue a career in boxing. He wants to be able to fight inside the boxing ring and continue his career in MMA. The UFC was not willing to give him the freedom to do so, but Ngannou explains that he is in talks with some other MMA organizations and hopes to fight inside the cage again after one boxing match.
“Yes, definitely go back into MMA, but not before boxing,” he said. “I prefer to go to boxing first did like one fight, and then go back into MMA cage. Yes. But obviously there’s MMA promotions that are trying, they’re reaching out to see how we can structure how we can get in business together, how we can become a partner.”
With the MMA talk the question was brought up as to whether a return to the UFC would be an option. Ngannou did not seem too likely to return after the way his relationship with them ended.
“I think my situation is different than others,” he said. “It’s not like I get caught or something. I left, you know, and I think it would take a lot in order for me to come back and I doubt that.”
Ngannou has been searching for a big named boxing match now that he is a free agent. He has mentioned wanting to face Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, all of which he believes are real possibilities.
