### Francis Ngannou's Potential UFC Return Sparks Excitement

Francis Ngannou's career in mixed martial arts might not have reached its conclusion with the UFC. Although it's been over three years since his last fight in the octagon and two years since he transitioned to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the spotlight on the 38-year-old remains undimmed.

In his lone fight since joining the PFL, Ngannou delivered a stunning knockout against Renan Ferreira in October 2024. Yet, his time outside the cage hasn't been without turmoil. Most notably, a tragic motorcycle accident in Cameroon resulted in the death of a 17-year-old girl, casting a shadow over his future in the sport.

Eric Nicksick, Ngannou's coach, has publicly speculated on possible career moves for the fighter, suggesting that a return to the UFC could still be on the table. According to Nicksick, Ngannou has expressed interest in a potential match with Deontay Wilder, but he also sees opportunities within the UFC's heavyweight division, which he describes as currently "in shambles."

Ngannou's exit from the UFC was far from smooth. Having left with the heavyweight title still his, his last bout was a decisive victory over Ciryl Gane. Following protracted contract negotiations that ended in January 2023, Ngannou was released as an unrestricted free agent, amid public criticism from UFC CEO Dana White. Despite the rocky past, Nicksick remains optimistic that business considerations could pave the way for Ngannou's return.

Nicksick emphasized that for Ngannou, the motivation now extends beyond financial gains. "It's more about competition," he noted, underscoring that the toughest opponents are still within the UFC.

Ngannou's six-year tenure in the UFC was marked by some of the most memorable knockouts and significant victories over fighters like Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski. His return, according to Nicksick, could invigorate a heavyweight division that has been stagnant due to the inactivity of champions Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.

Jones himself added fuel to the speculation, taking to Twitter to express his interest in a potential match with Ngannou. "Now we're talking," Jones wrote. "That's a real superfight... two real legacies colliding."

The possibility of Ngannou's return still looms large, promising to bring new excitement and competition to the heavyweight division, while potentially mending fences with the UFC for the betterment of the sport.