Francis Ngannou is set to make his MMA return this May after nineteen months away from the sport, and he is looking ready to fight based on some recent training footage.
Ngannou, who parted ways with the UFC while reigning as heavyweight champion, left the organization in 2023 over concerns of unfair treatment and the temptation of higher-paying opportunities outside the promotion. His last fight with the company was his title defense over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022.
Following his time with the UFC, Ngannou was still interested in being a part of the MMA world and signed with the PFL while he went on to what tempted him to leave the UFC in the first place: professional boxing. Ngannou had a match with former heavyweight boxing king Tyson Fury in 2023, in which he was very impressive despite the split decision loss. He followed things up with a much less impressive performance when he met Anthony Joshua in 2024 and was knocked cold out in the second round.
Later that year, Ngannou had his long-awaited debut in the PFL, which marked his highly anticipated return to MMA. For fans of fast finishes, this was an excellent showing, but for those who enjoy watching the best in the world square off with one another, this was not their favourite fight, as Ngannou completely dominated the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira and ended the fight in the first round.
What a return to MMA! Francis Ngannou smashes Renan Ferreira in the very first round 😤 #PFLSuperFights pic.twitter.com/vsnVKYEeCA
— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) October 19, 2024
Now he is ready to make another highly anticipated return to the sport, when he faces a different former PFL champion Philipe Lins. However, the Brazilian has more recently been competing in the UFC, but has not fought since 2024 when he defeated Ion Cutelaba in the light heavyweight division at UFC 299. Ngannou vs. Lins is set for the co-main event slot at MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs. Carano which will air live on Netflix from Inglewood, California on May 16th.
In the recent training footage that Ngannou posted to social media, he is seen working on his power punches to the body in the gym while wearing 16oz boxing gloves. The sound of his punches echoed through the gym with a loud thump as the former UFC heavyweight champion continued to deliver them to the pads with ease.
Who’s want to do the next body shot challenge with me? 😅 #NgannouLins #RouseyCarano pic.twitter.com/pxdDZNyAt6
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 3, 2026