Ngannou Returns to MMA on Rousey-Carano Fight Card

Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to mixed martial arts (MMA) on May 16, 2024, after a 19-month hiatus. He will face Philip Lin in a five-round heavyweight bout, which will be part of the inaugural MMA fight card promoted by MVP, co-founded by Nakisa Bidarian.

The event will be headlined by former UFC champions Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano in Los Angeles. Ngannou has not fought in MMA since October 2024, when he won the PFL Super Fight Heavyweight Championship.

His absence should not be mistaken for a lack of activity, as he participated in a boxing match against Anthony Joshua in October 2023. Ngannou, now 39 years old, joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in May 2023 and is recognized as one of the best heavyweight MMA fighters in the world.

Philip Lin, 40, is a former PFL heavyweight tournament champion and UFC veteran who has not fought since exiting the UFC with a four-fight win streak in March 2024.