UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou could make a sensational return to the octagon in December.
The Cameroon-born Frenchman, 34, was expected to be on the sidelines until early 2023 after undergoing knee surgery two months after his UFC 270 victory over Ciryl Gane.
Francis Ngannou underwent knee surgery two months after his UFC 270 victory over Ciryl Gane
Ngannou has also cooled talk of a hybrid boxing match with Tyson Fury
But The Predator – who has been undergoing extensive rehab – has hinted a return to the cage could come sooner than first expected.
He told TMZ: “It’s getting better. It’s been pretty good. It wasn’t easy, but we’re getting there.
“It’s been only 3 months, so yeah, I’m still doing physical therapy. If everything goes well I’ll be ready by the end of the year because it’s going to be nine months.
“So let’s say late December or early next year.”
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Ngannou’s contract with mixed martial arts’ premier promotion is set to expire in the summer and the UFC’s attempts to tie him down to a new deal have failed.
Ngannou has refused to pen a new deal unless a boxing match with unified heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is included.
But the prospect of a hybrid boxing match with The Gypsy King is seemingly no longer at the forefront of the knockout artist’s mind.
When asked about a potential opponent, he said: “You know, as for now let’s fight for the situation and get everything squared up.
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“And then when I will be close to the return, we will see where the landscape is at because a lot of things can happen.”
Although Ngannou is still playing hardball over a contract extension, UFC president Dana White is refusing to rule out the possibility of both parties coming to an agreement.
The veteran promoter told The Underground: “It’s the same as ever, there’s no lost cause.
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“It’s all business and we’ll see how it plays out.
“We got Francis right now with his knee, we’re waiting on that, gonna see how long that’s going to be.”
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