Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion from Cameroon, is scheduled to make his return to mixed martial arts on May 16 in Los Angeles, where he will take on Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins. This match follows a hiatus from competitive fighting since October 2024, when he faced Renan Ferreira in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Ngannou's decision to return comes after cutting ties with the PFL on March 6, indicating a significant shift in his career trajectory.

Having joined the PFL in 2023 following a notable contract dispute with UFC president Dana White, Ngannou's switch to this promotion marked a new chapter in his career. However, his recent endeavors have included boxing matches against heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, where he did not secure victories. His mixed martial arts return will take place outside of the UFC and PFL promotions, looking to make a statement in the broader combat sports arena.

The competition will be under MVP, a promotion co-founded by YouTuber Jake Paul, highlighting the evolving landscape of MMA where traditional promotions often do not have a monopoly on showcasing elite fighters. Ngannou aims to leverage this opportunity to re-establish himself in the MMA world and showcase his skills as he prepares for this pivotal fight against Lins.