Ngannou Heavily Favored in PFL Heavyweight Bout Against Lins

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou returns to the cage on Netflix after signing with PFL in 2023.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:20am

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Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to face off against Philipe Lins in a PFL heavyweight bout that will be streamed on Netflix. Oddsmakers heavily favor Ngannou, who is a -1408 favorite to defeat the +600 underdog Lins.

Why it matters

This fight marks Ngannou's return to MMA competition after parting ways with the UFC and signing with the PFL in 2023. It will be his second fight under the PFL banner, as he previously knocked out Renan Ferreira to win a Super Fights heavyweight title in 2024. The bout is also significant as it will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, showcasing the growing partnership between the PFL and the streaming platform.

The details

Ngannou (18-3) is a former UFC heavyweight champion who defended his belt just once before leaving the promotion. Since signing with the PFL in 2023, he has competed once, knocking out Renan Ferreira. Lins (18-5) is a PFL and UFC veteran who recently won four fights in a row at light heavyweight, but was not re-signed by the UFC despite the winning streak.

  • The fight will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
  • Ngannou last competed in October 2024, when he won the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title.

The players

Francis Ngannou

A former UFC heavyweight champion who is now signed to the PFL and has a professional MMA record of 18-3.

Philipe Lins

A PFL and UFC veteran with a professional MMA record of 18-5, who is moving back up to heavyweight after a recent winning streak at light heavyweight.

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What’s next

The winner of this fight could potentially earn a shot at the PFL heavyweight championship in a future event.

The takeaway

This bout showcases the continued growth of the PFL and its partnership with Netflix, as they bring a highly anticipated heavyweight matchup between a former UFC champion and a veteran of both the PFL and UFC.