Francis Ngannou stormed back into the cage on Saturday, finishing opponent Phillipe Lins in the first round.
The lineal heavyweight champion, who left the UFC in January 2023 due to a sunset clause provision in his contract, has only fought once since leaving the organization. His PFL career consisted of one fight in October 2024 when he stopped Renan Ferreira.
Saturday’s MVP card on Netflix featured Ngannou facing former PFL tournament winner and former UFC fighter, Phillipe Lins.
Lins gave up over thirty-six pounds after fighting his last four contests at light heavyweight.
Lins shot for a takedown and was overpowered onto his back after absorbing a shot from Ngannou, and the die was cast. Ngannou’s power was such a difference maker and exhibited while in Lins’ guard and continued as they returned to their feet. Lins defensively threw several shots with some connection, but took a short uppercut as a prelude to a left hand that dropped Lins and finished the fight at 4:31 of the opening round.
Francis NGannou challenges Jon Jones!
“I see myself victorious…” – Francis NGannou
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🌎 NETFLIX#RouseyCarano #DiazPerry #NgannouLins pic.twitter.com/bukrjtyclt— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) May 17, 2026
Jon Jones was among those seated cage side with Ngannou, addressing the multi-time UFC champion. Ngannou complimented Jones as a fighter, but had to learn to be a businessman, and cited his inability to get out of his UFC contract as preventing their fight from occurring. Jones would speak at the desk and indicated a desire to get out of his deal, but knows UFC won’t go for that and seemed resigned to that obstacle preventing him from competing elsewhere.
Ngannou also spoke about promoter Jake Paul, stating that Nakisa Badarian is the real promoter, dismissing Paul, and that the two could potentially box one day.
Ngannou improved to 19-3 and never lost the UFC heavyweight championship, which he won from Stipe Miocic in March 2021.
