Ngannou eyes early 2023 return from knee surgery

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is eyeing an early 2023 return to the Octagon following knee surgery, he told ESPN's Marc Raimondi.

Ngannou is set to meet with his doctor this week before moving into a pre-training camp, Raimondi adds. The heavyweight champ said he likely won't return earlier due to his conditioning.

"I'm not very strong on that knee yet," Ngannou said Friday. "See how heavy I am. That's something I really have to consider: my weight and this division and how it is."

The 35-year-old underwent surgery in March to repair a torn MCL and partially torn ACL. Ngannou has been linked to facing off against Jon Jones or a potential boxing fight against Tyson Fury.

Ngannou added that he's uncertain which promotion his next bout will appear under as his UFC contract is expected to end early next year. However, Ngannou said he's keen on doing a "few boxing matches" in his career, regardless of Fury's status.

"I'm open to any option. But what I do know for sure is that I'm gonna do that damn boxing," Ngannou said.