Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou to make MMA return against Philipe Lins on MVP's Netflix debut card
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Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will return to MMA after a 19-month absence, facing Philipe Lins in a five-round bout headlining the undercard of Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural event on May 16, 2026. The card, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, streams live on Netflix from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Ngannou, 39, recently parted ways with the PFL on March 6 and signed with MVP, co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
Following his recent release from the PFL, Francis Ngannou dismissed criticism about his UFC exit harming his legacy during a March 10 press conference, stressing family security as true legacy. He voiced support for Jon Jones' UFC contract disputes and announced a new deal with MVP for a May 16 fight against Philippe Lins.
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The Professional Fighters League announced on March 6, 2026, that it has parted ways with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, ending a three-year contract after just one MMA bout. The 39-year-old Cameroonian, now a free agent with an 18-3 MMA record, has expressed interest in returning to MMA amid PFL's ongoing restructuring and questions over its African expansion.