Francis Ngannou will return to mixed martial arts after a 19-month absence when he faces Brazil’s Philipe Lins on May 16.
The five-round heavyweight bout will take place on the inaugural MMA card from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The event, held in Los Angeles, will be headlined by former UFC champion Ronda Rousey against Gina Carano.
Ngannou, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, has not competed in MMA since October 2024. In that fight, the Cameroonian knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round to claim the Professional Fighters League Super Fights heavyweight title.
“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 comeback demanded a stage that matched my ambition, and partnering with MVP to bring the event to Netflix ensures the whole world will be watching.”
Ngannou’s departure from the UFC in January 2023 was one of the most significant moments in recent MMA history, as one of the sport’s biggest stars chose to leave its largest promotion.
He joined the PFL in May 2023 but fought only once for the organization. His profile surged after he nearly defeated Tyson Fury in a boxing match in October 2023. Ngannou later faced Anthony Joshua in 2024, suffering a knockout loss.
Earlier this week, Ngannou parted ways with the PFL and on Monday it was announced he had signed with MVP, the promotion founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
“Francis Ngannou is unquestionably the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, and his addition brings unmatched star power to this card,” Paul and Bidarian said in a joint statement.
Lins, 40, is a former PFL heavyweight tournament champion and UFC veteran. He has not fought since leaving the UFC in March 2024 on a four-fight winning streak.
