Ngannou returns to MMA with Philipe Lins fight.

The two heavyweight knockout artists will collide on May 16 in California, United States of America. The matchup is part of a historic night for combat sports: Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event and Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast.

Ngannou, who is also known as ‘The Predator’, will be facing Lins in a five-round co-main event. It is going to be his first fight since he parted with the Professional Fighters League, PFL. 

The 40-year-old, who boasts an 18-5 MMA record, hasn’t fought since UFC 299 in March 2024 but stressed that he should not be written off easily. 

“While the world was busy talking, I was busy evolving. 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,” Ngannou said.

Ngannou’s next opponent joined the UFC after he won the $1 million, over 500 million FCFA, PFL heavyweight tournament in 2018.

Lins has also enjoyed a six-fight stint with Bellator during his eventful career in the sport of MMA. A dangerous fighter in his own right, Lins expressed gratitude ahead of the monumental fight night.

“To be part of the first MMA event on Netflix is going to be amazing. I’m very happy to be fighting on this card with so many legends. We’re going to make history,” Lins said.

Lins was also shockingly cut by the UFC following his unanimous decision win over Ion Cuțelaba. That victory made it four light heavyweight wins in a row for the man nicknamed ‘Monstro’.

Prior to that, Lins lost back-to-back heavyweight bouts against Andrei Arlovski and Tanner Boser.

Ngannou hints on Jake Paul fight

Cameroonian MMA star, Ngannou, also hinted on a possible fight with American professional boxer, influencer and actor Jake Paul. 

When asked about fighting Ngannou, Paul said: “Yeah, I mean, I’m down. I’ve always been down. You were the option before Anthony Joshua and you ran like a duck and I bet that you didn’t think I’d last longer than you did with Anthony either so you just know that you’d get work in boxing and I would love to see it someday.”

‘The Predator’ has previously dismissed some of the controversial boxer’s comments as him simply trying to get at people.

However, in his response at the press conference on Tuesday, Ngannou said that Paul has made him change his mind about the idea of them facing off.

“I really didn’t want to fight you, but now I want to beat you. So, there’s a difference,” he said. 

“Keep the legacy, give me my pay” 

In another exchange with the press, Ngannou blasted the UFC after recent rumours emerged again questioning his choice of leaving despite having a brilliant career. 

A journalist asked Ngannou that a vocal part of the fanbase have been disappointed since he left the UFC and argue that Ngannou has ruined his legacy. 

In response, Ngannou said: My legacy right now is my kids and family back home getting health care, security, being able to put food on the table, being able to have a roof over their head. That is a better legacy”. 

Ngannou added that: “(…) You cannot go to the score or in a gas station, in school and pay a scholarship with a legacy. Keep the legacy, give me my pay, what I deserve.  

It should be recalled that Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 as the reigning heavyweight champion following a contract dispute regarding pay and freedom to pursue boxing. 

The article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3729 of Thursday March 12, 2026