Francis Ngannou signs to MVP; will fight on Carano vs. Rousey Card on Netflix
Francis Ngannou Returns to MMA Against Philipe Lins at Historic Netflix Event on May 16
By David Potter
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is officially returning to mixed martial arts in one of the most anticipated comeback fights in recent years.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix have announced that Ngannou will face Brazilian knockout artist Philipe Lins in a five-round heavyweight MMA bout on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. The event will stream live worldwide exclusively on Netflix for its more than 325 million subscribers.
The fight will take place under the Unified Rules of MMA, contested over five five-minute rounds inside a hexagon cage using four-ounce gloves.
Historic Night for MMA and Streaming
The matchup is part of a groundbreaking combat sports event promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and marks Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast. The card is headlined by a long-awaited showdown between former UFC champion Ronda Rousey and pioneering women’s MMA star Gina Carano.
The event represents MVP’s first full MMA promotion and continues the company’s aggressive push into major global streaming partnerships.
Tickets for the event go on sale March 10 at 10 AM PT via Ticketmaster.
Ngannou’s Long-Awaited Return
Ngannou (18-3) returns to the MMA cage following his ventures into professional boxing and his dominant victory in the PFL heavyweight championship in 2024.
Known as “The Predator,” Ngannou built his reputation as one of the most devastating punchers in combat sports history. During his UFC run, he recorded seven knockouts within the first two minutes of the opening round.
Ngannou says his return to MMA represents more than just another fight.
“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. This isn’t just a return, it’s a reclamation.”
Ngannou added that partnering with MVP and Netflix allows him to perform on a stage large enough to match the scale of his ambitions.
Philipe Lins Sees Career-Defining Opportunity
Standing across from Ngannou will be Brazil’s Philipe “Monstro” Lins (18-5), a former PFL heavyweight tournament champion known for his knockout power and finishing ability.
Lins won the 2018 PFL heavyweight championship, earning the league’s $1 million grand prize after winning four fights in six months.
The Brazilian veteran has competed in Bellator and the UFC, earning notable victories against Ion Cutelaba, Ovince Saint Preux, and Marcin Prachnio.
Lins says the fight represents a historic opportunity.
“To be part of the first MMA event on Netflix is incredible,” Lins said. “Fighting on the same card as legends like Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Francis Ngannou is something special. We’re going to make history.”
Knockout Power on Display
The Ngannou vs. Lins matchup brings together two of the sport’s most dangerous finishers.
Between them, the two heavyweights have combined for 22 knockout victories, making the bout one of the most explosive heavyweight clashes possible in today’s MMA landscape.
MVP founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian believe the fight adds major star power to an already historic card.
“Francis Ngannou is one of the most feared knockout artists the sport has ever seen,” the promoters said in a joint statement. “When you combine that with a proven champion like Philipe Lins, the result is a fight fans around the world will not want to miss.”
Rousey vs. Carano Headlines the Event
The main event features former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey (12-2) facing women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano (7-1) in a featherweight bout contested at 145 pounds.
The fight reunites two of the most influential figures in women’s combat sports history. Rousey became the first major superstar in women’s MMA, while Carano helped bring mainstream attention to the sport during its early years.
The bout has been discussed for years and will finally take place on one of the biggest global platforms in combat sports.
Press Conference Scheduled
Ngannou and Lins will come face-to-face for the first time at the official kickoff press conference on March 10 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
The press conference will be hosted by renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani and streamed live on Netflix’s YouTube channel and MVP’s official YouTube page.
More Fights to Be Announced
Additional bouts for the card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
With two major headline fights already confirmed and Netflix broadcasting the event globally, May 16 could become one of the most significant nights in modern MMA.
For fans of knockout power, historic matchups, and major crossover moments in combat sports, the event promises to deliver one of the most unique fight cards in recent memory.
Tags: Francis Ngannou, Philipe Lins, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, MMA, Netflix MMA, MVP Promotions, Heavyweight MMA, Combat Sports News