Francis Ngannou returns to UFC stage to support Usman
Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion, is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of Saturday’s card in Atlanta. He’ll be taking on surging contender Joaquin Buckley. It will be his first fight since a decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight in October, 2023. It will be his first fight at welterweight since a decision loss to Leon Edwards in March, 2023.
On Friday afternoon, Usman stepped onto the stage for the card’s ceremonial weigh-ins. And he brought Ngannou with him.
See the pair together below, as captured by MMA reporter Oscar Willis.
Big Francis pic.twitter.com/0cY1EetwVA
— Oscar Willis (@oscarswillis) June 13, 2025
Ngannou and Usman have been friends for years. Ngannou was infamously $200,000 in debt to the former welterweight champ by the time he left the UFC to pursue bigger paydays in the boxing ring.
While Ngannou may never compete in the Octagon again, anything his possible. His coach Eric Nicksick recently suggested it could happen. Then again, Nicksick later walked back those comments.
We also know UFC CEO Dana White isn’t especially interested in bringing Ngannou back.
“Probably not,” White said at the UFC 316 post-fight press conference, when asked about Ngannou returning. “No.”
Either way, it’s interesting to see Ngannou in town for a UFC event. Perhaps he’ll even cross paths with White.
