Joe Rogan begs Francis Ngannou to reconsider coming back to UFC, proposes lucrative matchup

Francis Ngannou recently became a mixed martial arts free agent after he was unable to come to terms on a new contract with the UFC. Stand-up comedian and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan pleaded with the former heavyweight champion to rejoin the promotion after earning his payday in a boxing match.

Francis Ngannou is reportedly now a free agent. According to reports, Ngannou's contract was scheduled to expire towards the end of 2022 📝👀

🔗sportskeeda.com/mma/breaking-f…

#UFC #MMA https://t.co/SsZvKkXuBc

Speaking to guest Paul Felder on episode #135 of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, the podcast host stated:

"The perfect world is [Ngannou] goes over, has some big money heavyweight boxing fight. Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane have a fight. Jon wins, Ciryl wins, whoever wins is the UFC champ and then Francis comes back. He can totally come back. Francis, if you're listening, sir, please don't sign an exclusive contract."

While it is unlikely that Ngannou will return to the UFC, the door remains open for a potential return if he takes a boxing match before joining another mixed martial arts promotion. It is still unclear if the UFC will change its stance on any of the former heavyweight champion's contract demands or if Ngannou would even be willing to negotiate with the promotion after his departure.

Check out Joe Rogan's comments on Francis Ngannou potentially returning to the UFC below:

Joe Rogan hopes Francis Ngannou fights Jon Jones or Ciryl Gane after having a boxing match 👀

📰 bit.ly/RoganNgannou https://t.co/iMasQZNoGQ

Check out the full episode of the JRE MMA Show below:

Joe Rogan wants Francis Ngannou to receive a payday

Francis Ngannou's departure from the UFC shocked fans of the sport as he became the first reigning champion to leave the promotion since B.J. Penn all the way back in 2004. UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently weighed in on the former heavyweight champion's departure, noting that he wants Ngannou to receive the massive payday he is looking for in a boxing fight.

Speaking to Paul Felder on episode #135 of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, the podcast host stated:

"I just want him to get that payday... [The UFC] offered him more money than any heavyweight, but I think the sticking point was that he wanted to be able to go off and do boxing. To his credit, he's like, 'Conor McGregor did it, why can't I do it?'... Conor made $100 million in the Floyd Mayweather fight. That's generational wealth."

While the UFC was willing to partner with Conor McGregor to make his boxing match possible, they were unwilling to do the same for Ngannou. The mixed martial arts free agent now has his options open, however, and a boxing match with Tyson Fury appears to be on the table as the WBC Heavyweight Champion recently called him out.

Tyson Fury appears to be interested in Francis Ngannou again https://t.co/LpGp9DEL3J

Watch Joe Rogan discuss his hopes for Francis Ngannou receiving a payday below (starting at the 7:10 mark):

Check out the full episode of JRE MMA Show below: