Ngannou blitzes Lins, stakes claim as 'best' HW
Key takeaways
- INGLEWOOD, California -- In just his second MMA bout in four years, Francis Ngannou looked as good as ever in a first-round knockout of Philipe Lins on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.
- Ngannou (19-3) knocked out Lins (18-6) with a left hook to the head at 4:31 of the opening round.
- Ngannou has won eight straight MMA fights, a streak that dates to 2018 and includes a two-year hiatus in which the former UFC heavyweight champion stepped away to box Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
INGLEWOOD, California -- In just his second MMA bout in four years, Francis Ngannou looked as good as ever in a first-round knockout of Philipe Lins on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.
Ngannou (19-3) knocked out Lins (18-6) with a left hook to the head at 4:31 of the opening round. The heavyweight bout co-headlined Netflix and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions' first MMA event.
Ngannou has won eight straight MMA fights, a streak that dates to 2018 and includes a two-year hiatus in which the former UFC heavyweight champion stepped away to box Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou also sat out all of 2025 as he navigated an eventual departure from his previous organization, the PFL.