Francis Ngannou Set for MMA Return Against Philipe Lins on Historic Netflix Card
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is scheduled to return to mixed martial arts (MMA) on May 16, facing Philipe Lins in a five-round co-main event. This bout will be part of a card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, broadcast globally on Netflix from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This event marks Netflix's initial foray into MMA and is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
Event Details
Ngannou (39) is set to compete against Lins (40) in a five-round mixed martial arts contest. The event will take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will be streamed globally on Netflix. The bout is positioned as the co-main event, supporting a headlining match between Ronda Rousey (39) and Gina Carano (43). Both are noted figures in women's MMA history who are returning to competition after extended absences. The card is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), marking the company's debut in the sport of MMA, alongside Netflix's entry into the discipline.
Francis Ngannou: The Return of a Champion
Ngannou boasts an impressive MMA record of 18-3. He previously held the UFC heavyweight title, securing the championship in 2021 by defeating Stipe Miocic via knockout. He successfully defended it against Ciryl Gane, notably fighting despite a knee injury. His UFC record stands at 12-2, with a majority of his victories concluding by stoppage. Notable opponents defeated in the UFC include Stipe Miocic, Ciryl Gane, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem, and Junior dos Santos.
Ngannou departed the UFC in January 2023 as the reigning heavyweight champion, having not lost the belt.
Following his departure from the UFC, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in early 2023. His contract included provisions for equity, a leadership position as chairman of PFL's Africa initiative, and a role on PFL’s advisory board.
During his PFL tenure, Ngannou competed once in MMA, securing a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024. He recently concluded his partnership with the PFL by mutual decision, with one fight remaining on his contract.
Between 2023 and 2024, Ngannou also engaged in professional boxing, competing in two bouts. He recorded an 0-2 boxing record, sustaining a split decision loss to Tyson Fury and a second-round knockout defeat by Anthony Joshua. Notably, during his fight with Tyson Fury, Ngannou knocked down the heavyweight boxer.
Philipe Lins: A Seasoned Competitor
Philipe Lins holds an MMA record of 18-5. He previously won the PFL heavyweight tournament in 2018, which included victories over Alex Nicholson, Caio Alencar, Jared Rosholt, and Josh Copeland, earning a $1 million prize.
After his success in the PFL, Lins signed with the UFC. His UFC tenure included a 4-2 record. Initially, he lost two consecutive bouts before transitioning to the light heavyweight division. In this division, he achieved four consecutive victories, including wins against Ovince Saint Preux and Ion Cutelaba.
Lins' contract with the UFC concluded, and he was not re-signed by the promotion in March 2024. He has been inactive in competition since that time, making this fight his return to action.