By Brian Mboh
Francis Ngannou returned to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for the first time in more than a year and a half and added another first-round knockout to his record.
Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins Saturday night in a featured matchup at the MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano event in Inglewood, Calif.
Although no official belt was on the line, Ngannou retained the sport’s lineal heavyweight title when he put Lins to sleep with a left hook late in the opening round.
Ngannou is a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion who never lost his title via knockout, submission or decision. Instead, he vacated the belt in 2022 following a contract dispute with the organisation and the two sides eventually parted ways.
Saturday’s event took place at the Intuit Dome City and was promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
The card was headlined by ex-UFC champion Ronda Rousey facing women’s combat sports pioneer Gina Carano, plus a welterweight matchup between former UFC superstar Nate Diaz and MMA fighter turned bareknuckle boxing star Mike Perry.
The 257-pound Ngannou had a 37-pound advantage over Lins who weighed 220 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins. The size discrepancy was also noticeable during the fight itself.
It has been described as a potential landscape-shifting moment in MMA with potential to challenge the UFC’s dominance if regular events occur under the banner.
Despite American Jones and Britain’s Tom Aspinall winning the UFC heavyweight title since Ngannou’s departure, many believe the Cameroonian to be the best heavyweight in the world and his appearance under MVP was considered a significant coup.
Ngannou was 30lb heavier than Lins – who was returning to heavyweight after spending three years at light-heavyweight, and his power was evident throughout the contest.
Both fighters looked loose and relaxed during their walkouts and introductions, but Nganou set the tone with a thudding leg kick, before going to work with his trademark heavy hands.
Lins, 40, had to survive the early stages to stand a chance of winning but he recoiled with every shot that Ngannou landed.
Under pressure, Lins made a fight-ending mistake when he swung wildly at the end of the round and Ngannou punished him with a flush left hook.
Rather than going to the ground to deliver more damage, confident the fight was over, Ngannou stood victorious over his fallen opponent as the referee waved the contest off.
“If someone doesn’t remember who I am, they must have amnesia or something because I made a statement here tonight again,” said Ngannou.
