Francis Ngannou (18-3) is set to make his return to MMA by fighting Philipe Lins (18-5), a former UFC competitor and PFL heavyweight tournament winner. The bout will be part of the May 16 Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event produced by Most Valuable Promotions at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
The fight was first reported by Sports and Culture Network and has quickly drawn attention from fans of MMA worldwide.
Ngannou Speaks on Comeback
Ngannou shared his mindset in a press release from MVP:
“While the world was busy talking, I was busy evolving,” Ngannou said. “Silence shouldn’t be mistaken for absence—it’s the sound of a predator closing the distance. Stepping back into the cage isn’t just a return; it’s a reclamation. My return to MMA demanded a stage that matched the scale of my ambition, and partnering with MVP to bring this event to Netflix ensures the entire world is watching. I am ready for this new chapter, and I cannot wait to entertain my fans again and remind the world exactly who I am and what I am capable of delivering on a highest stage. #TheComeBack”
Ngannou left PFL in March 2026 after competing just once for the organization, defeating Renan Ferreira by first-round knockout at Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia in October 2024. He also served as an executive during the launch of PFL Africa.
Before his PFL run, Ngannou went 12-2 in the UFC, with wins over top heavyweights including Stipe Miocic, Ciryl Gane, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem, and Junior dos Santos. Overall, Ngannou has won seven MMA fights in a row, including two title bouts to close out his PFL career.
In boxing, Ngannou went 0-2, losing a split decision to Tyson Fury and a second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua.
🚨 FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou returns to MMA to face Brazil’s Philipe Lins in a 5-round heavyweight clash. 💥
Ngannou vs Lins joins the historic card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano as MVP brings its first-ever MMA event to the… pic.twitter.com/qhBtC2btvM
— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) March 9, 2026
Ngannou’s opponent, Philipe Lins, ended his UFC career with four straight wins before being released in March 2024. He won the 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament and later compiled a 4-2 record in the UFC. Lins’ experience and tournament background make him a challenging opponent for Ngannou’s return.
The May 16 MVP event will feature Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano in the main event, with Ngannou vs. Lins as a five-round co-feature. Fans are eager to see how Ngannou performs after his time away from competition and whether he can reestablish himself as one of the top heavyweights in MMA.
