Ngannou shows disappointment
Francis Ngannou says he's disappointed not to be on the Netflix MVP MMA card in May to fight Rico Verhoeven — the frustration is public and adds pressure to future matchmaking. ( )
Rico Verhoeven is now scheduled to box Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, 2026. (ringmagazine.com) Multiple outlets report Verhoeven turned down a proposed MMA bout with Ngannou and chose to honor a verbal commitment to the Usyk boxing match instead, despite the MMA offer reportedly carrying a larger payday. (bloodyelbow.com) Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix have officially slotted Francis Ngannou to face Brazil’s Philipe Lins on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles in a five-round heavyweight bout that will stream globally on Netflix. (mostvaluablepromotions.com) Ngannou has said talks with Verhoeven were explored before his May return, and he has publicly discussed being released by PFL earlier this year after the promotion announced his departure in March. (boxingscene.com) MVP expanded the Rousey–Carano Netflix card by adding eight additional fights and scheduled a two-part press conference cycle, including a kickoff media event reported for April 15 in New York as the promotion builds toward the May 16 show. (mostvaluablepromotions.com) Ngannou told Ariel Helwani he signed to do only this single fight for MVP/Netflix — describing the agreement as a one‑and‑done deal — and said the chance to appear on Netflix played a key role in his decision. (sports.yahoo.com)
