Ngannou's Coach Hints at Possible UFC Return

Eric Nicksick says 'never say never' on Francis Ngannou fighting in the UFC again

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Francis Ngannou's coach, Eric Nicksick, has hinted that a return to the UFC for the former heavyweight champion is still possible, despite Ngannou's public split from the promotion. Nicksick believes the UFC's struggling heavyweight division could lead to the two sides resolving their differences. He also named a potential dream matchup between Ngannou and current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones as an ideal bout if Ngannou does come back.

Why it matters

Ngannou's departure from the UFC was seen as final, but his coach's comments suggest there may still be a path for the heavyweight star to return to the promotion. This would be a major development for the UFC, which has lacked depth and intrigue in its heavyweight division since Ngannou's exit.

The details

Ngannou left the UFC after declining a new contract offer while he was still the reigning heavyweight champion. The promotion then stripped him of the title and booked a fight between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane to crown a new champion. Ngannou later signed with the PFL and has one fight remaining on that deal. However, his coach Nicksick believes the UFC and Ngannou can put aside their differences, especially with the heavyweight division lacking top contenders at the moment.

  • In February 2026, Ngannou's coach Eric Nicksick discussed the possibility of Ngannou returning to the UFC.

The players

Francis Ngannou

A former UFC heavyweight champion who left the promotion after declining a new contract offer.

Eric Nicksick

The head coach of Francis Ngannou and the one who hinted at a possible UFC return for his fighter.

Dana White

The president of the UFC who publicly stated that Ngannou would never compete in the promotion again.

Jon Jones

The current UFC heavyweight champion, who Nicksick named as an ideal opponent for Ngannou if he were to return to the UFC.

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What they’re saying

“I would never say never, because you're looking at the landscape of the heavyweight division right now in the UFC, and it's struggling. Dana [White] would admit that. So, I feel like the mature thing to do is put your differences aside, and maybe eventually that's a possibility for him.”

— Eric Nicksick, Francis Ngannou's Coach (Action Network)

“That's a fight Jon [Jones] wants, that's a fight Francis wants. So, why not make that happen? Jon is the ultimate competitor, and he's now to me, a legacy-type fighter. If that fight becomes available, I could see Jon doing whatever it took to get back in there to make that fight happen.”

— Eric Nicksick, Francis Ngannou's Coach (Action Network)

What’s next

If Ngannou and the UFC can resolve their differences, a potential matchup between Ngannou and current heavyweight champion Jon Jones would be a highly anticipated fight for the promotion.

The takeaway

Despite their public split, the possibility of Francis Ngannou returning to the UFC remains open, according to his coach Eric Nicksick. This highlights the fluid nature of negotiations in professional sports and the potential for even the most acrimonious disputes to be resolved, especially when there are compelling matchups that can be made.