Francis Ngannou to Return to MMA
Cameroonian MMA star Francis Ngannou will return to action on 16 May in Los Angeles, where he will face Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins, organisers announced on Monday.
The 39-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion has not competed since October 2024, when he defeated Brazilian Renan Ferreira in his only fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). On 6 March, Ngannou officially parted ways with the PFL.
Ngannou signed with the PFL in 2023 following a high-profile contract dispute with UFC president Dana White.
The Cameroonian (18 wins, 3 defeats in MMA) also tried his hand at boxing for two lucrative bouts in October 2023 and March 2024, but lost both fights against British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
This comeback will take place outside the sport’s two biggest promotions, the UFC and the PFL. Ngannou will compete under Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a promotion founded in 2021 by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, with the event funded by streaming giant Netflix, which will broadcast the show.
The bout of Ngannou will feature on a card headlined by a women’s fight between American superstar Ronda Rousey and US MMA pioneer-turned-actress Gina Carano.
The event will be held in Inglewood, California at the Intuit Dome, home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.