Jason Burgos
Francis Ngannou’s signing with the Professional Fighters League became an official failure on Friday. Three years ago, the former UFC heavyweight king had a falling out with the MMA world leader and chose to shake up the sport by taking his talents to the PFL. However, after having just one bout in the league, the two sides decided to end their relationship this week.
The news immediately created speculation about a potential return to the UFC. However, that will be very difficult considering his bad relationship with the company’s CEO, Dana White. However, with CFO Hunter Campbell having a much larger role in the promotion, he may decide to do what’s best for business and try to bring “The Predator” back into the fold, if the price is right.
If Ngannou and the UFC can work out their issues and set up a return to the Octagon, here are five fights we would love to see in 2026 and 2027.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones
While there are rumors about a clash between MMA icon Jon Jones and Alex Pereira at the UFC White House card in June, fight fans have wanted a bout with Francis Ngannou for years. When the Cameroonian was still the heavyweight king, negotiations for a bout did happen. But they could never get the deal across the finish line.
With Ngannou having less leverage now, it might be far easier to get signatures on a contract for the blockbuster matchup.
Francis Ngannou vs. Tom Aspinall
If Jones no longer has interest in a fight with Ngannou, another easy pivot would be to a matchup with current champion Tom Aspinall. Obviously, the Englishman has to get his eyes back to normal following surgery on them last month. However, if he can get back to full health, a booking of the two most dominant heavyweights of the last five years would draw a lot of interest.
Francis Ngannou vs. Alex Pereira
If Pereira vs. Jones gets made, and the Brazilian wins, his next goal would be to stay at heavyweight and look to make history by being the first UFC fighter to win titles in three divisions. If Aspinall is still not ready to fight, it would not be surprising if Pereira and Ngannou were placed into an interim title fight.
Seeing Pereira in the same cage as the hulking Ngannou would be a sight to see and a must-watch for fight fans.
Francis Ngannou vs. Sergei Pavlovich
If the UFC doesn’t want to push Francis Ngannou into a title fight first, facing one of the division’s contenders would be the plan. That is why Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich would be a likely option. He is nearly as large and powerful as the former heavyweight champ. So a matchup would be a great test for Ngannou’s return. Plus, the bout would be a huge co-main event for any upcoming numbered UFC event.
Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury
One outside-the-box direction the UFC could go if they re-sign Ngannou would be a clash in the Octagon with Tyson Fury. The two fought in a boxing match three years ago, and the Cameroonian nearly scored one of the biggest upsets in history. There have long been rumblings about a rematch. Doing it in MMA — a sport the Englishman has often flirted with competing in– would make sense.
With White also running Zuffa Boxing, a trilogy fight could happen in the ring, or it could be part of a two-fight, two-sport deal between the boxing legend and parent company TKO Group Holdings.
