Ngannou tells Jones to exit UFC contract after quick KO

Francis Ngannou reaffirmed his claim as the best heavyweight in the world with a first-round knockout win over Philipe Lins at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Ngannou, who says he is the lineal heavyweight MMA world champion, displayed his trademark power as a crushing left hook ended a lop-sided contest.

While MMA has no official lineal championship line, Ngannou, 39, is considered by many as the best heavyweight in the world after leaving the UFC as its champion in 2023.

After the contest, Ngannou suggested a matchup with former UFC champion Jon Jones, who was part of the broadcast team for the event on Netflix.

"Jon Jones is a great fighter, probably the best that has ever done MMA. But in terms of business, he still has something to learn, and should be watching what I am doing and learning," said Ngannou.

"This fight needs to happen before we retire."

Ngannou's only fight since leaving the UFC was a first-round stoppage of Renan Ferreria in 2024 and this win over Lins was a timely reminder of his dominance.

Jones, who retired in 2025 but is still bound by his contract with the UFC, supported the idea but admitted it would be difficult to make the fight happen.

"I've got to focus on getting out of my UFC contract - that's going to be the difficult part," said Jones.

"If this fight is going to happen, I don't think Dana [White] is going to do any business with Francis [Ngannou], so doing it with MVP is the only way. If we can get out of my contract that would be great."

A bout with Jones would form one of the biggest heavyweight fights in history but with Jones' contract and Ngannou's frosty relationship with the UFC, there are some sizable roadblocks to get through to make it happen.

Victory takes Ngannou's MMA record to 19 wins and three defeats.

The bout staged by Most Valuable Promotions formed part of the Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano undercard which was the first MMA event to be broadcast live on Netflix.

It has been described as a potential landscape-shifting moment in MMA with potential to challenge the UFC's dominance if regular events occur under the banner.

Despite American Jones and Britain's Tom Aspinall winning the UFC heavyweight title since Ngannou's departure, many believe the Cameroonian to be the best heavyweight in the world and his appearance under MVP was considered a significant coup.

Ngannou was 30lb heavier than Lins - who was returning to heavyweight after spending three years at light-heavyweight, and his power was evident throughout the contest.

Both fighters looked loose and relaxed during their walkouts and introductions, but Ngannou set the tone with a thudding leg kick, before going to work with his trademark heavy hands.

Lins, 40, had to survive the early stages to stand a chance of winning but he recoiled with every shot that Ngannou landed.

Under pressure, Lins made a fight-ending mistake when he swung wildly at the end of the round and Ngannou punished him with a flush left hook.

Rather than going to the ground to deliver more damage, confident the fight was over, Ngannou stood victorious over his fallen opponent as the referee waved the contest off.

"If someone doesn't remember who I am, they must have amnesia or something because I made a statement here tonight again," said Ngannou.

In a fight described as the "people's main event", American Mike Perry beat countryman Nate Diaz as their welterweight fight was waved off at the end of the second round.

After punishing Diaz with an array of punches, knees and elbows, a battered Diaz was deemed unable to continue with blood pouring down his face from a cut above his eye.

Diaz has has not fought in MMA since bringing his iconic 15-year UFC career to a close in 2022 when he submitted Tony Ferguson.

A fan favourite because of his enduring career and rebellious personality, Diaz, 41, left the UFC to try boxing, but returned to MMA seeking "the biggest fights".

Although Diaz threatened with a leg submission, Perry hurt Diaz numerous times and Diaz agreed after the fight it was the right decision to end it.

"I think I broke my finger in the first two seconds, and I spent too much time worrying about that rather than focusing on the animal that I am," Diaz said.

"I had blood in my eye. I couldn't see anything, I wasn't going to do anything but next time he's not going to be able to do anything."