Is the UFC heavyweight division so utterly barren that they’re now reduced to begging Francis Ngannou to ride back into town on his motorbike? Eric Nicksick, the man coaching the former champion, reckons it’s a done deal mentally, claiming Ngannou is ‘100 percent’ open to mending fences with Dana White and the UFC brass. This comes after years of acrimony, a single fight elsewhere, and a horrific accident in Cameroon that cast a long shadow.

The Coach’s Confidence & The Champion’s Silence

Nicksick, clearly playing promoter, insists it’s ‘more about business than ego’ for Ngannou. He paints a picture of the Predator as an independent contractor finally free to chase the biggest paydays, having proved his point by boxing and joining the PFL. The coach argues Ngannou’s motivation now is pure competition, and bluntly states the best competition resides in the octagon he stormed out of two years ago clutching the heavyweight belt.

He even attempts diplomacy, suggesting Dana White is a ‘smart-enough businessman’ to swallow his pride. The implication being White’s ego might be the size of a small planet, but even he can’t ignore the value proposition. Ngannou brings highlight-reel violence and star power the current crop sorely lacks.

A Heavyweight Division in Shambles

Nicksick didn’t hold back on the state of the division Ngannou left behind. He pointedly highlighted the absurdity of Tom Aspinall clutching an interim title for ‘almost 600 days’ while undisputed champion Jon Jones seems perpetually elsewhere. It’s a division paralysed by inactivity at the very top, a champion seemingly allergic to defending his belt.

Bringing Ngannou back, Nicksick argues, isn’t just about one fighter; it’s about injecting life into a stagnant pool. He envisions it moving the logjam, making everyone money, and finally giving the fans the fights they crave. Whether White sees it as admitting defeat or a golden opportunity remains the multi-million dollar question.

Jones Sees Dollar Signs & Legacy Cement

However, one fighter, Jon Jones is all ears. Hearing whispers of Ngannou’s potential openness, Bones took to social media, transforming from distant champion to eager matchmaker. ‘Now we’re talking. That’s a real super fight,’ Jones declared, framing it as a ‘clash of champions’ and ‘two kings from different roads’. He dismissed other potential fights as mere hype, positioning Ngannou as the only opponent who genuinely adds to his legacy.

It’s fascinating timing, this sudden enthusiasm from Jones. Was it the coach’s comments, the realisation that Stipe Miocic might finally be too old, or simply the scent of a pay-per-view bonanza strong enough to rouse him? Jones wants ‘two real legacies colliding’, conveniently ignoring the years of ducking the fight when Ngannou was the reigning UFC champion breathing down his neck.

So, can White and Ngannou truly bury the hatchet? Can Jones actually be bothered to step into the cage against the most terrifying puncher in MMA history? Or is this just another round of fight game hot air? Let us know if you’d actually believe this superfight happens before Aspinall collects his pension.