Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is preparing for his highly anticipated return to MMA in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) on October 19, 2024. After enduring the tragic loss of his son Kobe, Ngannou’s journey back to the sport has been supported by his head coach, Eric Nicksick of Xtreme Couture.

The Road to Recovery

Nicksick, who has been instrumental in Ngannou’s recovery, emphasized the emotional and psychological challenges the fighter has faced.

“I wasn’t sure if he was ever going to fight again,” Nicksick admitted, reflecting on the dark days following the tragedy. “That type of tragedy, that type of loss, you just never know how somebody’s going to rebound. But getting him back in the room, getting him back in the gym kind of reinvigorated those MMA juices again, and he wanted to fight, so I’m happy for him, man. It seems like he’s in a good place right now.”

Ngannou’s return to the gym has not only reignited his passion for MMA but also provided a crucial distraction from his personal grief. Nicksick’s focus was to help Ngannou heal. “Really for us, it was just more about his psyche and getting our friend back and taking care of him,” Nicksick said, underlining the deep bond between coach and fighter.

Boxing and the Upcoming Fight

During his time away from MMA, Ngannou ventured into the boxing ring, where he faced Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Although he lost both bouts, his performance against Fury, where he scored a knockdown in a split decision loss, turned many heads. However, the fight with Joshua ended in a second-round knockout, which, combined with his son’s death shortly after, led Ngannou to question his future in combat sports.

Despite these challenges, Ngannou never stopped working on his MMA skills, particularly his wrestling, which Nicksick believes will be crucial for his upcoming fight.

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“I’m just honored to be by his side,” Nicksick said. “He’s my friend first and foremost. I know at the end of the day, I’m his coach, but we’re brothers in arms. I know what he’s fighting for, and I know his purpose right now. I’m here to help him accomplish that goal.”

The PFL Debut

Ngannou’s PFL debut will see him face Renan Ferreira, the current PFL heavyweight champion, in Saudi Arabia. Ferreira, known for his speed and athleticism, presents a formidable challenge for Ngannou, who has not competed in MMA since his last UFC fight against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. Ngannou is determined to remind the world why he was once the most feared heavyweight in the UFC.

In addition to Ngannou’s fight, the PFL event on October 19 will also feature a featherweight title bout between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, promising a night of high-stakes action.

For more updates on Francis Ngannou’s journey, visit MMAnytt.se