Francis Ngannou may have fought just once in the last four years before stepping into the cage against Philipe Lins on Saturday at the Intuit Dome, but he looked as dominant as ever, securing a stunning first-round knockout victory that left the sports world, including NFL personalities, in awe.
Francis Ngannou’s Incredible Knockout Turns Heads in the NFL World
The fight followed an all-too-familiar pattern, as Ngannou remained patient during the opening exchanges before landing an outside leg kick to get going. After a few combinations, Lins attempted a takedown, but Ngannou stuffed it and briefly took top position.
The pair quickly returned to their feet and traded shots along the cage before Ngannou shut the lights out on Lins with a devastating left hook at the 4:31 mark of the opening round, leaving former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III stunned.
“FRANCIS NGANNOU!!! WHAT A KNOCKOUT 🤯,” he wrote.
FRANCIS NGANNOU!!!
WHAT A KNOCKOUT 🤯
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 17, 2026
The bout was part of the heavyweight showcase co-headlined by Netflix and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event. The card featured three first-round knockouts in the men’s division, with Salahdine Parnasse defeating Kenneth Cross and Robelis Despaigne defeating Junior dos Santos in the other two bouts.
“3 FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUTS IN A ROW?!?! This Netflix card has been SENSATIONAL #RouseyCarano,” Griffin added in another post.
3 FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUTS IN A ROW?!?!
This Netflix card has been SENSATIONAL #RouseyCarano
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 17, 2026
But the night belonged to Ngannou, who improved his MMA record to 19-3 and reportedly earned $1.5 million for the win.
“Easiest paycheck in Francis Ngannou’s life,” wrote sports commentator Big Biz.
Easiest paycheck in Francis Ngannou’s life. https://t.co/qCNovvFS3r
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 17, 2026
However, he was not entirely supportive of the matchup.
“I’m so happy Francis Ngannou is getting the money he deserves, I just wish he wasn’t fighting club bouncers and security guards,” he added.
“Nice of Francis Ngannou to hold off on that last shot lmao,” added fantasy football analyst Ian Hartitz.
Nice of Francis Ngannou to hold off on that last shot lmao
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 17, 2026
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf also questioned Lins’ strategy heading into the fight, despite the Brazilian entering with a 17-6 record.
“So you went to a full training camp and your team told you to try to swing with Francis Ngannou? That was the plan?” he wrote.
So you went to a full training camp and your team told you to try to swing with Francis Ngannou? That was the plan?
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) May 17, 2026
The win marked Ngannou’s eighth straight victory in a streak dating back to 2018, despite a two-year hiatus from MMA competition. During that stretch, he stepped away to box Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou also took time off in 2025 following his departure from the PFL, but the long layoff made little difference on Saturday as he demolished Lins in under five minutes.
The former UFC heavyweight champion was later asked whether he considered himself the best heavyweight in the world, and with Jon Jones and Jake Paul in attendance, Ngannou did not hesitate.
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“Period. I’m the f—ing best, period,” Ngannou declared.
Both Jones and Paul have expressed interest in facing Ngannou, making either matchup one to watch moving forward.
