With the UFC`s heavyweight division currently experiencing delays, discussion around former champion Francis Ngannou has re-emerged.
Ngannou departed from the promotion in January 2023, but his coach recently suggested that a return might be possible.
This quickly caught the attention of Jon Jones, who expressed significant interest in a fight with Ngannou, describing the potential matchup as a `true super-fight`.
Jones` comments drew some criticism from fans, with suggestions that he might be pushing this idea to avoid a fight with Tom Aspinall.
After his initial remarks added a new element to the dynamics at the top of the heavyweight division, Ngannou`s coach took steps to clarify exactly what he meant.
Coach Eric Nicksick Explains Remarks on Francis Ngannou`s Possible UFC Return After Jon Jones` Comments
In an interview, Eric Nicksick stated his belief that enough time has passed since Francis Ngannou`s difficult departure from the UFC for the two parties to potentially reconnect.
The head coach of Xtreme Couture indicated that he thinks Ngannou would be open to this, viewing the fighter`s stance as prioritizing business over personal ego.
Nicksick also made it clear that Tom Aspinall, with whom he shares a good relationship, is entirely deserving of his opportunity to be a UFC champion. He added that bringing Ngannou back doesn`t solve the current issues causing delays in the division.
He commented, “I`m not saying that Francis is the answer but it at least adds some more value to your heavyweight division if you go out and get a guy like him and bring him back.”
In a recent social media post, Nicksick further emphasized the intended meaning of his comments to prevent any misinterpretation.
He mentioned all three major figures in the heavyweight picture, explicitly stating he did not speak negatively about either Jones or Aspinall.
Nicksick simply feels that reintroducing Ngannou into the mix would make the division even more exciting, a point that is difficult to contest.
Eric Nicksick Compares Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall Situation to Failed Francis Ngannou Fight
While expressing significant respect for Jon Jones, Eric Nicksick did highlight similarities between the heavyweight champion`s drawn-out situations involving both Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou.
The potential fight between Jones and Ngannou remains one of the biggest UFC matchups that never materialized, despite both fighters being under contract with the promotion simultaneously.
Nicksick noted definite parallels between how the Jones and Aspinall situation is unfolding and the way the negotiations for Jones vs. Ngannou previously went. He suggested that the current scenario seems to validate the comments made at the time about the potential super fight.
He explained, “We were ready to fight anyone that came to the table, but the negotiations weren’t stalled on our end. So, I think that now over time, the truth comes to light and we don’t really have to say much about it. You’re seeing what’s going on now.”
Francis Ngannou arrives for a fight event.
