Francis Ngannou Meets Philipe Lins in California Saturday
Francis Ngannou is set to make his fighting return against philipe lins on Saturday in California, stepping back into MMA after leaving the UFC as its reigning heavyweight champion. He has won one MMA fight since then in the PFL, and he is again arguing over who holds the true title at heavyweight.
Ngannou said, “I still have the real belt,” and added, “I never lost the UFC title but I didn't lose the PFL title either,” while describing himself as the lineal heavyweight MMA world champion. Asked if he agreed that he is the best heavyweight in the world, he answered, “of course.”
Ngannou’s UFC exit
The 39-year-old left the UFC in 2023 after finishing his run there as champion, then fought once in MMA for the PFL. He said the end of his time at the UFC was horrible, and that the move away from the promotion gave him a different path.
“The [UFC] contracts are not fair - they give all the rights to the promoter and don't protect the fighter,” Ngannou said. He also said, “The fighters are just an asset and they can get rid of you when they want. If you don't fight you don't get paid and you have no right to do anything else.”
MVP-Netflix card in California
The matchup sits on an MVP-Netflix card that includes several ex-UFC stars, with Ronda Rousey headlining the event in her first MMA bout in 10 years. Ngannou is among that group, and the setting gives this return a different weight than a standard comeback fight.
That card also puts his break from the UFC in the same frame as the earnings and opportunities he said came after leaving. Ngannou said exiting the promotion allowed him to earn significantly higher fight purses and pursue boxing.
Philipe Lins and the return
For Lins, the assignment is the same one every opponent of Ngannou gets: the former champion is back, and he is talking like a man who never surrendered his place. Ngannou’s advice to younger fighters was to “stand your ground and believe in yourself,” and he added, “When making your decision you have to consider the worst case scenario and as long as you are OK with that scenario then you can live with that decision.”
Saturday in California gives the rest of the card its clearest measuring stick. If Ngannou wins, the argument around his heavyweight standing keeps traveling with him; if he does not, the return fight becomes the latest chapter in a career that has already moved from UFC champion to PFL winner to boxer and back again.
