Francis Ngannou Joins Kamaru Usman Onstage at UFC Atlanta Weigh-ins

Two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s “three kings” got together unexpectedly in Hotlanta.

At the ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of UFC Atlanta on Saturday, headliner Kamaru Usman walked on stage flanked solely by former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou. It marks one of a small number of times “The Predator” has been seen in a noteworthy capacity—that is, not sitting in the crowd as a fan during a fight card—at a UFC show since he left the promotion’s ranks in 2023. UFC chief Dana White was not in attendance, as the weigh-in ceremony was instead helmed by commentator Brendan Fitzgerald, exec Hunter Campbell and matchmaker Mick Maynard.

Usman was not joined by teammates from his Kill Cliff FC camp, and instead had his face painted with the colors of the Nigerian flag as he flexed while making weight at 171 pounds. Maynard stayed ready to get between Usman and upcoming foe Joaquin Buckley during the final staredown, but he was ultimately not required. Ngannou, who sported an official UFC Venum fight kit, did not say anything publicly nor was Usman asked about him.

According to MMA Junkie, Ngannou will not serve as one of Usman’s cornermen during the event. Instead, the Professional Fighters League athlete was showing support for one of his close friends and countrymen during the proceedings.

Ngannou has not fought in MMA since pummeling Renan Ferreira in the inaugural PFL Super Fights event on October 2024. After departing from the UFC, Ngannou took two trips inside of the boxing ring. In his first effort, he battled Tyson Fury to a contentious split decision loss despite dropping Fury in the third round. In his next time out, he faced Anthony Joshua, succumbing to punches in the second stanza.