The inaugural MVP MMA 1 event by Netflix is approaching, featuring a significant bout between Philipe Lins and Francis Ngannou. Lins trains diligently with American Top Team, and one of his fellow fighters from ATT, a past Bellator MMA champion, shared his perspective on this heavyweight encounter scheduled for Saturday night.
The fighter in question is Johnny Eblen, who is preparing for a return match against Costello Van Steenis in July for a second clash over the PFL middleweight championship. On May 16th, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, MVP MMA 1 will unfold with a live Netflix broadcast showcasing prominent figures in the realm of mixed martial arts.
With Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano headlining the card and Mike Perry against Nate Diaz promising significant action in its own right, the recognized MMA heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will also compete against Lins, a former PFL titleholder and ex-UFC competitor. When discussing his ATT colleague Lins’s upcoming fight against the former UFC heavyweight champion in the coming days, Eblen commented [as reported by Bowks Talking Bouts],
“I think it’s wonderful that they are putting on this Netflix spectacle, and that’s a contest I definitely want to observe. I believe Philipe [Lins] battling [Francis] Ngannou is monumental and extremely beneficial for Philipe’s professional journey. All these participants are earning income, and I consider it excellent for the fighters.”
Francis Ngannou is the most extensively campaigned lineal MMA heavyweight champion since Fedor Emelianenko
The lineal title in mixed martial arts at heavyweight has certainly experienced a considerable amount of cross-promotional activity, with Ngannou embodying a spirit akin to that displayed by Fedor Emelianenko in earlier times. With Ngannou having successfully defended the lineal championship in the PFL smart cage and now preparing to uphold this unofficial yet crucial distinction at the inaugural MVP MMA card, it evokes memories of ‘The Last Emperor’.
Such a degree of inter-organizational engagement with the lineal distinction has not been observed since Emelianenko’s defenses of the lineal crown in Bodog Fight, Affliction, and Strikeforce. With reflections on Emelianenko’s period, particularly following Pride’s collapse, most historical holders of that lineal champion status typically competed under lengthier contractual agreements with specific promotional banners like Pride and the UFC.
The essence of the WAMMA heavyweight title remains vibrant amidst the impending striking spectacle of Ngannou versus Lins, as the industry’s leading platform will televise the combat proceedings this Saturday.
