Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round of their heavyweight clash in California on Saturday to extend his winning streak to eight mixed martial arts fights.
The 39-year-old landed a devastating left hook to the temple at four minutes and 31 seconds of the opening round at the Intuit Dome.
Co-headlining the inaugural MMA event hosted by Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions, the Cameroonian fighter looked as explosive as ever despite recent inactivity.
Following the swift victory, the formidable striker confidently declared himself the greatest heavyweight on the planet.
Jon Jones watches from ringside
“Period — I’m the f—ing best, period.”
– Francis Ngannou
Current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones was in attendance to watch his long-time rival secure another impressive stoppage win.
A cross-promotional bout remains highly unlikely due to exclusive contracts, but the American gestured towards the cage and indicated on the broadcast that he wishes to leave the UFC.
Event promoter Jake Paul has also expressed interest in facing the former PFL star, having previously pursued a boxing exhibition against him last year.
Unrelenting power remains intact
This latest triumph marks the veteran’s first standing knockout in an MMA cage since 2021, showcasing the raw power that initially propelled him to global fame.
The renowned knockout artist previously stepped away from the octagon for two years to pursue high-profile boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Despite sitting out the entire 2025 calendar year while navigating a departure from the Professional Fighters League, the heavyweight titan showed no signs of ring rust.
Lins bravely absorbed the early exchanges, but the Brazilian was visibly overwhelmed after being spun around by a heavy leg kick and bloodied in the opening minutes.
Fully recovered from historical knee injuries, the victor continues to prove his status as one of combat sports’ most dangerous competitors.
Conor McGregor will end his five-year absence from mixed martial arts to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on 11 July in Las Vegas.
The highly anticipated welterweight bout takes place at the T-Mobile Arena just three days before the Dubliner celebrates his 38th birthday.
It marks the first time the former dual-weight champion has competed since suffering a devastating leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021.
A scheduled comeback against Michael Chandler was scrapped last year after the controversial star sustained a broken toe on short notice.
A rematch more than a decade in the making
The July showdown will serve as a compelling sequel 13 years after the pair first collided inside the Octagon.
The Irish phenomenon secured a unanimous decision victory over the Hawaiian during the early stages of their respective promotional tenures in 2013.
Since that initial encounter, his 34-year-old opponent went on to claim the featherweight championship and establish himself as a divisional great.
The respected veteran recently held the symbolic Baddest Motherf***** title before suffering a comprehensive defeat to Charles Oliveira in March.
Supporting cast and surrounding controversy
The Las Vegas card also features strong British interest in the lightweight co-main event.
Liverpool standout Paddy Pimblett is scheduled to test his skills against surging French contender Benoit Saint-Denis.
For the main event attraction, the return to competition comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny outside the cage.
A civil-court jury found the former featherweight and lightweight titleholder liable for sexual assault in 2024, an allegation he vehemently continues to deny.
Historic summer for the promotion
This blockbuster announcement follows plans for an unprecedented promotional spectacle earlier in the summer schedule.
The premier mixed martial arts organisation is set to host a fight card at the White House on 14 June to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Napoleon Solo held off a late challenge from Iron Honor to win the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, securing his first victory of the year in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
The 7-1 shot took the lead near the top of the stretch and finished one and a quarter lengths ahead of the runner-up.
Chip Honcho secured third place in a wide-open field of 14 contenders.
Derby winner absence creates historic odds
With Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo held out of the race, the betting market was left unusually fractured.
Unbeaten colt Taj Mahal started as the 9-2 favourite, representing the longest odds for a top choice since the race moved to its current distance in 1925.
Trainer Brittany Russell’s highly fancied entrant broke quickly to lead the first quarter-mile in 22.66 seconds before fading in the crucial closing stages.
Morning line favourite Iron Honor also saw his odds drift to an 8-1 shot by the time the horses entered the starting gate.
A subdued atmosphere away from Pimlico
This year’s prestigious event was temporarily relocated to Maryland’s Laurel Park while its traditional home at Pimlico undergoes extensive rebuilding work.
Known historically for its rowdy infield crowds and live music, the latest edition featured a significantly more subdued atmosphere.
Organisers capped attendance at just 4,800 spectators, providing a stark contrast to the usual throngs of racing enthusiasts.
England will put their 37-match winning streak on the line against a rejuvenated France in Sunday’s Women’s Six Nations title decider in Bordeaux.
The defending champions have swept aside their first four opponents with an imposing average winning margin of 41 points.
However, head coach John Mitchell is managing a severely depleted squad ahead of this critical fixture at the Stade Atlantique.
Injury crisis tests squad depth
The Red Roses are currently missing several pivotal figures due to an untimely combination of injuries and pregnancies.
Experienced stars including Emily Scarratt, Abby Dow, and Natasha Hunt are all unavailable for the grand finale.
This unprecedented absentee list has forced significant reshuffles across the pitch, particularly within the forward pack.
Delaney Burns has returned from the international wilderness to start in the second row, earning her first caps since 2023.
Leaky defence meets French power
While the English attack remains devastatingly effective, their defensive line has shown uncharacteristic frailties during this tournament campaign.
Both Italy and Wales managed to secure try-scoring bonus points against the usually impenetrable world number one side.
Mitchell insists that conceding points is simply a byproduct of an aggressive and evolving playing style.
“We’ll just keep scoring more. It’s our new identity, it’s the way that we’re evolving our game.”
The head coach added that fixing these defensive issues remains a relatively straightforward task.
France pose severe physical threat
The French hosts are perfectly equipped to exploit any lingering vulnerabilities in the visiting defensive line.
Teani Feleu has transitioned from number eight to the midfield, bringing immense physicality to the direct running channels.
She will be orchestrated by sharp fly-half Carla Arbez, who has consistently impressed with her incisive tactical kicking.
If the visitors are to secure an eighth successive championship, they must first survive a ferocious physical assault.
Wales welcome Italy to Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday in desperate search of their first victory of the Women’s Six Nations campaign to avoid a third consecutive Wooden Spoon.
Despite demonstrating remarkable resilience against the tournament’s heavyweights, Sean Lynn’s team have yet to register a win this season.
The hosts currently sit at the bottom of the table and face serious pressure to salvage pride in front of a passionate home crowd.
Conversely, their opponents arrive in the Welsh capital buoyed by a championship victory already safely secured.
The Azzurri recently became the first team in nearly a decade to cross the whitewash five times against England, injecting immense confidence into their ranks.
Record finish in sight for the visitors
A triumph in Cardiff could see the touring side claim third place overall, marking their most successful championship finish in seven years.
However, that historic placement also relies on Ireland failing to defeat Scotland in Dublin earlier on Super Sunday.
Later in the afternoon, England and France will bring the curtain down on the tournament when they contest a winner-takes-all clash for the Grand Slam in Bordeaux.
Singleton returns as Fedrighi bows out
The home side have made just one alteration to their starting XV, with winger Seren Singleton preferred to Hannah Dallavalle.
The returning back made her debut against Scotland in the opening round and featured against both France and England before missing the clash with Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Italian management have opted for four starting changes to their lineup for this crucial encounter.
Francesca Granzotto gets the nod out wide, while Gaia Maris reclaims her familiar spot in the front row.
The fixture will be a highly emotional occasion for Valeria Fedrighi, who is retiring from international rugby following an illustrious career.
The veteran lock steps away from the sport having amassed 72 caps across 10 Six Nations campaigns and three World Cups.
Coaches demand physicality and focus
The Welsh head coach emphasised the need for a complete performance to end a difficult campaign on a positive note.
“We have made real strides with our performance in each game and we know we have to do that again in the final game.”
Lynn acknowledged that while progress is evident, his squad must maintain unbroken concentration for the entire contest.
“We know we have moved the dial with our performances, but we have to be an 80-minute team at Test match level.”
In the opposition camp, Alessandra Frangipani expects a gruelling forward battle against a robust home pack.
“It won’t be an easy challenge because we know Wales are a very intense team, especially in the set-pieces like the scrum, lineout, and drive, where they know how to put opponents under significant pressure.”
The Italian lock remains highly confident that the visitors can handle the anticipated physical onslaught.
“We certainly expect a very physical game, especially up front, but we have all the cards in hand to try and put them in difficulty.”
Canelo Alvarez will return to the ring to challenge Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight world title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 12 September.
The bout marks the Mexican superstar’s first appearance since suffering a stunning defeat to Terence Crawford in Las Vegas last year.
Crawford subsequently retired from the sport, allowing the 168lb division to open up for a new challenger.
This paved the way for the undefeated Mbilli to rise through the ranks and claim the vacant WBC championship.
‘My motivation is still the same’
The former undisputed champion is now seeking to reclaim his crown in the Middle East.
“After so many years in this sport, my motivation is still the same: to challenge myself, represent Mexico, and continue building my legacy,” Alvarez said.
“Mbilli is undefeated, and a great fighter, and I respect that. But my focus is always on my preparation, performance, and giving the fans another great night of boxing.”
“On September 12 in Riyadh, we begin a new chapter with the same discipline, ambition, and vision that has carried me throughout my career.”
An explosive clash of styles
The defending champion has built a fearsome reputation as one of the division’s most aggressive and powerful punchers.
“My last fight was the fight of the year. In September, against Canelo Alvarez, it will be the fight of the decade,” Mbilli stated.
“And when the fight is over, the world will witness a historic victory for me.”
Promoters believe the matchup will perfectly suit both men, pitting relentless forward pressure against elite counter-punching.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef expects the contrasting approaches to deliver a highly entertaining spectacle.
“I think stylistically for both guys, it’s a good fight,” duBoef explained.
“Canelo needs a guy that’s going to come to him – that’s where he really excels.”
Swedish pole vault star Mondo Duplantis and Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson secured impressive victories as the Diamond League season commenced in Shanghai.
Duplantis misses out on world record
The Olympic champion triumphed in the pole vault after comfortably clearing 6.12m on the opening night of the athletics calendar.
His closest rival was Kurtis Marschall, who exited the competition after managing a height of 5.80m.
Having secured the event win, the 24-year-old attempted to vault 6.32m to break his own world record, but clipped the bar in his first two attempts before falling well short on his third.
“The attempt at the world record was okay, I wish I could improve the run-up, the approach, speed and energy and then it will be good.”
Leotlela edges men’s 100m thriller
In the men’s 100m, South African sprinter Gift Leotlela claimed his maiden Diamond League victory with a rapid time of 9.97 seconds.
The 28-year-old surged late to win a dramatic photo finish against Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and American Olympic medallist Kenny Bednarek.
“I had a decent start, not great. I just tried to keep my composure, stay in my rhythm and stay strong.”
Jackson and Kipyegon shine on the track
Reigning world champion Shericka Jackson dominated the women’s 200m sprint, comfortably beating two-time Olympic 400m gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
American star Sha’Carri Richardson missed out on a podium spot in fourth, while Great Britain’s Amy Hunt finished down in fifth position.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon demonstrated her enduring class by winning her first outdoor 5000m race of the year in a world-leading time of 14 minutes and 24.14 seconds.
“I feel so good, it was a good race. A positive season opener.”
Russell sets world-leading hurdles pace
American Olympic champion Masai Russell delivered a statement performance in the women’s 100m hurdles, crossing the line in 12.25 seconds to set the fastest time in the world this year.
Elsewhere, Jamal Britt caused an upset by defeating fellow American and world champion Cordell Tinch in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Ireland’s Mark English emerged victorious from a crowded pack to win the men’s 800m, while the Netherlands’ Jessica Schilder threw an impressive 21.09m to win the women’s shot put.
Francis Ngannou believes he is defending his status as the lineal heavyweight MMA world champion when he makes his return against Philipe Lins in California this Saturday.
The 39-year-old vacated his championship in 2023 at the peak of his career and has secured one mixed martial arts victory in the PFL since his highly publicised departure.
Despite Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall claiming UFC gold during his absence, the Cameroonian fighter is still widely regarded as the premier heavyweight on the planet.
Standing firm against the UFC
“I never lost the UFC title but I didn’t lose the PFL title either.”
Francis Ngannou
The fearsome striker described the conclusion of his tenure with the world’s largest MMA promotion as a horrible experience marked by a bitter fallout with president Dana White.
He is now scheduled to feature on the upcoming MVP-Netflix card, an event highlighted by Ronda Rousey returning to the cage after a decade away.
“The contracts are not fair – they give all the rights to the promoter and don’t protect the fighter.”
Francis Ngannou
Paving a lucrative alternative path
Breaking away from the traditional combat sports model allowed the heavyweight powerhouse to secure massive paydays in the boxing ring against both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
He hopes the MVP venture, spearheaded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, can successfully challenge the established monopoly and offer fighters a legitimate financial alternative.
“The fighters are just an asset and they can get rid of you when they want. If you don’t fight you don’t get paid and you have no right to do anything else.”
Francis Ngannou
“If someone asks my advice I would say ‘stand your ground and believe in yourself’.”
Francis Ngannou
Keeping the boxing door open
Paul recently revealed that his own boxing future remains uncertain as he continues recovering from a broken jaw sustained against Joshua last December.
While the American promoter considers his medical options, Ngannou remains open to a potential crossover bout despite rejecting a similar offer last year.
“I didn’t say I want to fight Jake Paul. I said if he keeps insisting then…”
Francis Ngannou