Francis Ngannou makes surprise appearance on UFC stage

UFC on ESPN 69: Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley ceremonial weigh-in faceoff

Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley had their final UFC on ESPN 69 faceoff at ceremonial weigh-ins, with a surprise appearance from Francis Ngannou.

Who thought Francis Ngannou would ever be seen again on a UFC stage?

It happened Friday when Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, accompanied former welterweight champ Kamaru Usman to the scale during the UFC on ESPN 69 ceremonial weigh-ins at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Usman meets Joaquin Buckley in Saturday night’s main event (ESPN, ESPN+).

Ngannou’s appearance came as a surprise considering how much UFC CEO Dana White has publicly bad-mouthed Ngannou ever since he chose not to re-sign with the UFC in January 2023, at times making things personal. As has increasingly been the case, White did not oversee Friday’s UFC on ESPN 69 ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs.

A person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie that Ngannou is not a licensed cornerman for his good friend, Usman. Ngannou, who wore officially licensed UFC Venum gear, joined Usman on stage only as a show of support.

Ngannou, 38, hasn’t competed since last October, when he defeated Renan Ferreira by knockout in his PFL debut. There’s no word when he could fight again.

Last month, Ngannou was involved in a fatal motorcyle accident in his native Cameroon, which killed a young woman. Ngannou struck the young woman with his motorcycle while she was walking.