Cameroonian mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou is set to return to competition on May 16 in Los Angeles, where he will face Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins, organisers announced on Monday.
The 39-year-old former heavyweight champion has not fought since October 2024, when he defeated Brazilian heavyweight Renan Ferreira in his only bout for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Earlier this month, Ngannou officially ended his association with the PFL, closing a chapter that began in 2023.
From UFC Champion to Global Combat Sports Star
Ngannou rose to global prominence during his tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he captured the heavyweight title. His departure from the promotion followed a high-profile contract dispute with UFC president Dana White.
Since leaving the UFC, Ngannou has explored opportunities across multiple combat sports. In addition to MMA, he stepped into professional boxing for two blockbuster fights. In October 2023, he faced British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, followed by a second major bout against fellow British boxer Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Ngannou lost both fights but earned global attention and substantial paydays.
With a professional MMA record of 18 wins and 3 losses, Ngannou remains one of the sport’s most recognizable heavyweights.
Competing Outside Major Promotions
Ngannou’s upcoming fight will take place outside the two biggest MMA promotions, the UFC and the PFL. Instead, the event will be organized under the banner of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a combat sports promotion founded in 2021 by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
The event will also be broadcast through the global streaming platform Netflix, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in delivering combat sports to global audiences.
Star-Studded Fight Card in California
The fight card will be headlined by a high-profile women’s matchup between former UFC champion Ronda Rousey and MMA pioneer-turned-actress Gina Carano.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers.
A High-Profile Comeback
Ngannou’s return marks another significant moment in his evolving combat sports career. Having already crossed between MMA and boxing, his upcoming fight against Philipe Lins will test whether the former UFC champion can reassert his dominance in mixed martial arts while continuing to expand his global profile outside traditional promotions.
