Dana White has shut the door on a possible Francis Ngannou UFC comeback.
The Cameroonian cage fighter left MMA’s premier promotion, the UFC, for rivals PFL in January 2023, amid acrimony, while he was still the company’s heavyweight champion.
However, his coach Eric Nicksick sparked rumours of a possible return to the UFC last month by suggesting his student would be open to re-signing with his former employer.
When the idea was put to White at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference on Saturday night, the MMA mogul affirmed he would be ‘shocked’ if that were to ever happen.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years about Francis, Francis doesn’t always mean what he says publicly; behind the scenes, it’s different from what he says publicly,” said White.
“I’m not a big fan, I would be shocked if Francis ever came back here, on lots of different levels.
“I’m not a fan, and he doesn’t always mean what he says publicly.”
Ngannou has never publicly addressed his coach’s comments and remains under contract with the PFL for one more fight.
Firing back at his former boss on X, he tweeted: “Did I say I’m ever coming back?”
The back and forth comes shortly after White announced that Ngannou’s successor to the heavyweight throne, Jones, has retired from MMA.
Jones had previously entertained the idea of a super fight with Ngannou and recently claimed there were legs in a cross-promotional matchup between the heavyweight titans.
“I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking,” ‘Bones’ tweeted.
Jones has retired and thus relinquishes his UFC heavyweight titleGETTY“That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype.
“He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads.
“Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding.
“That’s the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view.”
Jones’ retirement means that long-suffering interim champion Tom Aspinall has been elevated to undisputed king after almost two years of waiting.
The UFC will now look to match Aspinall in the coming weeks, while Ngannou searches for his next opponent.
Ngannou still has one fight remaining on his PFL dealGettyNgannou made his long-awaited PFL debut last October by dispatching Renan Ferreira for the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship.
He is expected to return to action this year, although no opponent or date has been locked down at the time of writing.
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