Francis Ngannou hits the pads in training as he eyes return to action after successful knee surgery

Francis Ngannou clearly hasn’t lost his touch as he returned to training following knee surgery.

The UFC heavyweight champion, 35, had surgery on his right knee after his win over Ciryl Gane in January, which has kept him out of action for the majority of the year thus far.

But it seems he has enjoyed a quick recovery having not been expected to return until early next year at the earliest.

The Predator hit the pads for the first time since the operation and vowed to take it slowly ‘step by step.’

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Ngannou has now been cleared to train and the 35-year-old released a video on Twitter training with his striking coach Dewey Cooper letting out all of his pent-up frustration on the pads.

And his punches were so loud the sound reverberated around the room like something being shot straight out of a cannon.

Check out the video below…

Back on the pads. Step by step ☝