Inglewood, California – Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to return to mixed martial arts on May 16, co-headlining a landmark event streamed live on Netflix. The bout against Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins will accept place at the Intuit Dome and serve as the co-main event to the highly anticipated clash between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, marking Netflix’s first foray into live MMA programming.
The event, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, represents a significant step for both the promotion and the streaming giant. MVP’s previous success with boxing, including a November 2024 event featuring Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson that reportedly drew 125 million viewers worldwide, paved the way for this expansion into MMA, according to Netflix. The Rousey-Carano fight, positioned as the main event, has been years in the making and is expected to draw a substantial audience.
Ngannou’s return to the cage comes after a period of transition following his departure from the UFC in 2023 due to a contract dispute. He subsequently competed in boxing and secured a PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship victory in October 2024, stopping Renan Ferreira in the first round. LowKickMMA reports that Ngannou’s recent parting ways with the PFL cleared the path for this new venture with MVP.
“Francis Ngannou is unequivocally the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, and his addition creates star power like never before seen in the sport,” Paul and Bidarian said in a joint press release. “Francis is one of the most feared knockout artists the sport has ever seen, and his return to MMA instantly makes this a historic night.” They also highlighted Lins’s experience, stating he is “a proven champion who built his reputation the hard way against elite competition.”
Ngannou himself expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity. “My return to MMA demanded a stage that matched the scale of my ambition, and partnering with MVP to bring this event to Netflix ensures the entire world is watching,” MMA News quoted Ngannou as saying. “I am ready for this new chapter, and wait to entertain my fans again and remind the world exactly who I am and what I am capable of delivering on the highest stage.”
Philipe Lins (18-5, 4 Submissions, 9 KOs) brings a wealth of experience to the matchup, having competed in prominent organizations including the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. He won the 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament and maintained a four-fight winning streak in the UFC between 2022 and 2024. Ngannou’s record stands at 18-3, with 4 submissions and 13 knockouts.
The fight is scheduled for five rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA and will be contested inside a hexagon cage with 4-ounce gloves. The event will be available to all Netflix subscribers at no additional cost, making it widely accessible to fans globally. ESPN confirms that a press conference to further promote the event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10.
With this addition, the May 16 card has quickly become one of the most anticipated MMA events of 2026, blending established stars with the innovative approach of MVP and the global reach of Netflix. The event’s success could significantly impact the future of MMA broadcasting and the role of streaming platforms in the sport.
The focus now shifts to the lead-up to May 16, with both Ngannou and Lins preparing for a high-stakes showdown. The upcoming press conference is expected to provide further insights into the fighters’ preparations and build anticipation for what promises to be a groundbreaking event for MMA.
What are your thoughts on Ngannou’s return to MMA? Share your predictions and excitement in the comments below!
