Champ Francis Ngannou could return in December after surgery

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou isn’t utterly ruling out the opportunity of combating once more this 12 months.

Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) hasn’t seen motion since January, when he successfully unified the titles with interim champ Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. “The Predator” got here into the battle with a critical knee harm, which required surgical procedure to restore a torn MCL and damaged ACL.

He managed to beat it and bought his hand raised in a crucial battle for his profession. Ngannou got here into the battle betting on himself with the final battle of his contract, and he’s been very vocal about his issues with both treatment and pay.

At the moment, although, Ngannou is placing all his power towards rehabilitation, and he mentioned issues are presently on observe.

“It’s getting higher – it wasn’t straightforward, however getting there,” Ngannou advised TMZ in a current interview. “It’s been solely three months, so I’m nonetheless doing bodily remedy.”

Barring any setbacks in his get well, Ngannou gained’t shut the door on a late 2022 return. There have been rumors of the UFC implementing an interim heavyweight title in his absence, and the group has actively tried to ebook Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic as that battle.

July is simply across the nook, although, and if Ngannou could possibly be able to defend within the coming months.

“If all the things goes properly, I shall be prepared by the tip of the 12 months as a result of it will be 9 months,” Ngannou mentioned. “(I wish to be again in) late December or early subsequent 12 months.”

So far as potential opponents for his comeback, Ngannou mentioned he can’t make any definitive statements. There’s been mutual curiosity between him and Tyson Fury for a fight showdown in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, however Ngannou wouldn’t be utterly free to discover that risk till his UFC contract expires.

Proper now, it’s too quickly for Ngannou to know who he could possibly be combating subsequent.

“For now, let’s battle for the scenario and get all the things squared up (with my contract),” Ngannou mentioned. “Then once I get near the return we’ll see the place the panorama is at.”