Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is officially returning to mixed martial arts as part of the blockbuster fight card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

Ngannou will face Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins in a five-round heavyweight bout on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in California. The event is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and will stream globally on Netflix. 

The fight marks Ngannou’s first MMA appearance since 2024, when he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the Professional Fighters League. During his time away from MMA, the Cameroonian star also stepped into the boxing ring against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, drawing global attention to his crossover career. 

Ngannou said the return is about reclaiming his place in the sport, promising fans a powerful comeback performance.

The event itself is already generating huge buzz, as it also marks the long-awaited MMA return of Ronda Rousey after nearly a decade away from the cage, setting up one of the most talked-about nights in modern MMA.