TLDR
- Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins at 4:31 of the first round with a left hook
- The fight took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix’s first MMA show
- This was Ngannou’s first MMA fight since leaving the UFC to pursue boxing
- Ngannou declared himself the best heavyweight in the world after the victory
- The event was promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions organization
Sources: ESPN | MMA Fighting | CBS Sports | Bloody Elbow
Francis Ngannou made a powerful statement in his return to mixed martial arts, knocking out Philipe Lins with a single left hook at 4:31 of the first round. The fight headlined the inaugural MMA card from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
The former UFC heavyweight champion wasted no time in showing that his cage skills remained sharp. Ngannou landed a devastating left hook that dropped Lins and ended the fight in the opening round.
After the victory, Ngannou proclaimed himself the best heavyweight in the world. He also hinted at major fights on the horizon for his future.
FRANCIS NGANNOU KO IN ROUND 1 #RouseyCarano pic.twitter.com/YddNVUSsNr
— Netflix (@netflix) May 17, 2026
First MMA Fight Since Leaving UFC
The bout marked Ngannou’s first MMA fight since departing the UFC organization. He had spent the past period focusing on professional boxing, stepping away from the cage entirely.
Questions had emerged about whether Ngannou would show any rust after his time away from MMA competition. The quick knockout answered those doubts emphatically.
The event represented Netflix’s entry into live MMA broadcasting. The streaming platform partnered with Jake Paul’s promotion company to present the card.
Ngannou’s performance drew strong reactions on social media following the finish. Some observers viewed the victory as a response to criticism from UFC president Dana White.
Dominant Display of Power
The finish showcased the punching power that made Ngannou famous during his UFC career. The single left hook was all he needed to secure the stoppage victory.
Lins, a former PFL champion, could not withstand Ngannou’s striking power. The fight ended before either fighter could establish much offense.
The quick finish opens up several possibilities for Ngannou’s next opponent. High-profile options now exist for his follow-up bout.
Ngannou’s victory came in front of a large audience watching on Netflix. The platform’s reach gave the fight significant exposure beyond traditional MMA fans.
The performance demonstrated that Ngannou’s boxing training had not diminished his MMA abilities. If anything, his striking appeared as dangerous as ever.
Most Valuable Promotions successfully launched its first MMA event with the Ngannou main event. The promotion is run by Jake Paul, who has been expanding into combat sports promotion.
The Intuit Dome in Inglewood provided the venue for the card. The relatively new arena hosted its first major MMA event.
Ngannou now holds a victory in his first fight under the MVP banner. The knockout win keeps him in conversations about the top heavyweights across combat sports.
The former champion’s time away from MMA did not appear to affect his preparation. He looked sharp and ready from the opening bell.
Ngannou landed the finishing left hook cleanly on Lins’ chin. The referee immediately stepped in to wave off the contest as Lins fell to the canvas.
