Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins Video Highlights, Reaction from KO Win on Historic Netflix Card

Francis Ngannou once again proved he's still one of the most fearsome fighters in MMA today with a first-round knockout win over Philipe Lins on the main card of MVP MMA 1 in Los Angeles.

It didn't take long for Ngannou to establish his dominance over Lins. The Predator was much larger than Lins and he landed a few early power shots before his opponent clinched up to extend the round. 

That was about the best that Lins could hope for, however. Ngannou landed a short uppercut and then clipped Lins with a left hook that sent him to the mat:

There weren't many who were shocked by the performance. 

The bout is only Ngannou's second since he left the UFC after his 2022 bout against Ciryl Gane. The Predator briefly tried out boxing with mixed results before going back to MMA and beating Renan Ferreira under the PFL banner.

Regardless of what happens next, Ngannou's place in MMA heavyweight history is secure. He took over the UFC's heavyweight division in violent fashion with a run to the title that included knockout wins over Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Stipe Miocic.

However, contract disputes and the desire to box have led to his departure from the UFC. Ngannou's departure from the organization has allowed him more freedom, but it's also left him with fewer notable opponents.

He's hoping that a megafight with Jon Jones, who is retired and still under contract with the UFC, could still be on the table.

"I am the one who has been calling him out. I've been calling this guy out for five, six years now. I think the question is supposed to be addressed to him, I've been calling him out day and night," Ngannou said of Jones, per Doric Sam of Bleacher Report. "And if it was possible, of course, yes, I would still be down for it. But I'm not holding up my life because of that. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."

Either way, Ngannou should be considered a top asset for Jake Paul if he wants his promotional company to continue putting on MMA cards. Ngannou's explosive power and name recognition as a former UFC champion leaves open the possibility for big fights capable of headlining cards.

The victory over Lins is just the latest example of that.