Netflix Adds Francis Ngannou to Rousey-Carano MMA Card

Former UFC heavyweight champion to face Philipe Lins in heavyweight bout on May 16 event

Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Netflix has added former MMA heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou to the May 16 card headlined by Ronda Rousey's return to mixed-martial arts for the first time in nearly a decade. Ngannou will face off against Philipe Lins in a professionally sanctioned heavyweight bout contested over five, five-minute rounds.

Why it matters

This event marks Ngannou's return to MMA after being released from PFL, and his first appearance on a major streaming platform like Netflix. The Rousey-Carano matchup also represents a highly anticipated comeback for two pioneering women's MMA fighters.

The details

Ngannou (18-3, 4 Submissions, 13 KOs) was released from his PFL contract earlier this year, allowing him to compete in other combat sports. He has since fought in boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Lins (18-5, 4 Submissions, 9 KOs) is a former PFL heavyweight tournament winner who later signed with the UFC.

  • The Netflix event will take place on May 16, 2026.
  • Ngannou was released from his PFL contract earlier this year.

The players

Francis Ngannou

Former UFC heavyweight champion who is making his return to MMA on the Netflix event.

Philipe Lins

A former PFL heavyweight tournament winner who has since signed with the UFC.

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who is making her return to MMA after retiring in 2016 and later competing in WWE.

Gina Carano

A pioneering women's MMA fighter who is returning to the sport after retiring following a loss to Cris Cyborg in 2009.

Jake Paul

The founder of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which is partnering with Netflix to promote this event.

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What they’re saying

“While the world was busy talking, I was busy evolving. Silence shouldn't be mistaken for absence — it's the sound of a predator closing the distance. Stepping back into the cage isn't just a return; it's a reclamation. My return to MMA demanded a stage that matched the scale of my ambition, and partnering with MVP to bring this event to Netflix ensures the entire world is watching. I am ready for this new chapter, and I cannot wait to entertain my fans again and remind the world exactly who I am and what I am capable of delivering on a highest stage.”

— Francis Ngannou

“Grateful to be part of the first MMA event on Netflix and the first MMA event for MVP.”

— Philipe Lins

What’s next

The event will be made available to Netflix's more than 325 million members at no additional cost.

The takeaway

This Netflix event represents a significant platform for both Ngannou's return to MMA and the highly anticipated comeback of pioneering women's MMA fighters Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, showcasing the continued growth and popularity of the sport.