Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou isn’t concerned with criticism surrounding the recent direction of his career. As he prepares for his return to MMA against Philipe Lins on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Ngannou says the conversation about his “legacy” misses the point entirely. The fight will take place on Netflix’s first-ever MMA event, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
Since leaving the UFC in 2023, Ngannou has been heavily criticized by some fans and analysts for how he has navigated the latter part of his career. But the Cameroonian knockout artist made it clear he prioritizes financial security for his family over accolades or legacy debates.