UFC champ Francis Ngannou shares health update from hospital bed after having successful knee surgery

FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed his knee surgery was a success - leaving him ready to get 'back on track'.

The UFC heavyweight champion needed to go under the knife following his win against Ciryl Gane, 31, in January.

And he confirmed the operation went smoothly ahead of rehabilitation.

Ngannou, 35, posted on Instagram: “Knee surgery went very well today ( ACL reconstruction and MCL repair). PS: no meniscus damage

"Thank you to Dr Alattrache and staff for taking great care of me. Rehab time to get everything back to normal and get back on track.

"Sincerely, THE KING.”

Ngannou, whose UFC contract expires this year, is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

It means an interim champion could be crowned in his absence, UFC president Dana White revealed.

White said: “It’s very possible. We find out this week [how long he’s out].

“If nine months is true, if it’s going to take nine months for him to get cleared to start training again.

"That’s almost a year before he would fight. So yeah, we would do an interim title.”

Ngannou has no fights left on his current UFC deal but is contracted for another year due to holding a title.

An extension has not been ruled out but the Cameroonian has also teased a move into boxing.