UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s recovery from the knee surgery he underwent earlier this year appears to have gone well so far and in a new interview he suggests that it’s still possible he could fight before the end of the year.
“It’s getting better,” Ngannou told TMZ Sports when asked about his recovery from his torn MCL and damaged ACL. “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.”
However, even if he was ready to go in December it’s still not clear whether he’d be competing in the Octagon or not as he’s still at an impasse with the UFC regarding negotiations on a new contract, with Ngannou adamant that he won’t re-sign with the promotion unless he’s allowed to also fight Tyson Fury in a boxing match.
As such, when asked who his next opponent might be, Ngannou’s answer was still guarded.
“You know, as for now let’s fight for the situation and get everything squared up, 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.”
