UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is scheduled to undergo knee surgery on March 18, according to his manager, Marquel Martin.
Ngannou (17-3), 35, is wrapping up a trip in his native Cameroon this week and is scheduled to return to the U.S. for the procedure next week. He suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL in the buildup to a successful heavyweight title defense in January. The timeframe for his recovery is nine months.
The UFC has not yet decided what to do with its heavyweight division in Ngannou’s absence. His last fight against interim champion Ciryl Gane, which he won via unanimous decision, was the final fight of an eight-fight deal. Ngannou is still under contract with the UFC via a champion’s clause, but has said he will not fight again under the terms of that deal.
UFC president Dana White told reporters in February that he and Ngannou met for dinner before Ngannou left for Africa and that negotiations would restart upon his return. Martin, of Creative Artists Agency, said Ngannou’s team is looking forward to resuming talks.
“I appreciated and supported the UFC’s dinner invitation to Francis,” Martin said. “I believe Francis and Dana needed to get together in that kind of setting. We’re all looking forward now to sitting down with the UFC in a professional capacity to map out the next chapter in Francis’s journey.”
Ngannou has repeatedly stated he wishes to face lineal heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury in the ring in his next appearance. In a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White referred to that proposal as a “really bad idea for Francis.” Ngannou’s most attractive opponents in the UFC are Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic. He is not expected to fight until 2023.