Francis Ngannou returning on Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix special
The card for Netflix’s first-ever live MMA special has gotten a significant injection of star power.
It was announced today that former UFC star Francis Ngannou will return to MMA on the May 16 special, facing off against Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins. It will be the co-main event that night alongside Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. The show is taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California and is being promoted by MVP Promotions, which is run by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
“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 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.
“Philipe Lins is a proven champion who built his reputation the hard way against elite competition, and knows this is his chance to cement his legacy and take Brazil back to the top of the sport.”
Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion but departed the company in 2023 amid a contract dispute. He later competed in boxing and had one MMA fight for the PFL. Just a few days ago, it was confirmed that Ngannou and the PFL had parted ways.
“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,” Ngannou said. “I am ready for this new chapter, and 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.”
Lins has fought for the UFC, PFL, and Bellator during his MMA career.
The May 16 event will stream live for Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. A press conference to hype up the card is set to take place this Tuesday (March 10).
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
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