Francis Ngannou to make MMA return on Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano card in California on May 16
Francis Ngannou's comeback bout in mixed martial arts to be against Philip Lins; 'Predator' has boxed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and also competed in Professional Fighters League since last UFC outing in 2022; Ngannou "cannot wait to entertain my fans again"
Monday 9 March 2026 14:06, UK
Francis Ngannou will make his return to MMA on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano fight card in California on May 16 as he takes on Philipe Lins.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou has not competed in mixed martial arts since a Professional Fighters League (PFL) victory in October 2024, his only bout with the promotion.
The 39-year-old left UFC after defeating Ciryl Gane in early 2022 and went on to box Britain's Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia across 2023 and 2024.
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Ngannou, nicknamed The Predator, took Fury the full 10 rounds and knocked him down in the third before losing via a controversial split decision, while he was knocked out by Joshua in the second round five months later.
His MMA comeback, announced days after his departure from PFL, will take place over five rounds, each five minutes in length.
Ngannou: I cannot wait to entertain my fans again
Ngannou, who earned seven knockouts inside the first two minutes of bouts during his UFC career, said of his impending return to the cage: "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.
"I am ready for this new chapter. I cannot 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."
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions, said: "Francis Ngannou is unequivocally the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world and his addition creates star power on one card like never before seen in the sport.
"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."
