Philipe Lins: I'm going to 'shock the world' against Francis Ngannou

Philipe Lins began his MMA career in Brazil, winning his first seven fights and earning attention from Bellator. He debuted in Bellator in 2014 and finished with a 3-3 record, showing aggression and skill despite mixed results. A later Bellator appearance ended with a first-round knockout loss to Vadim Nemkov, but the work of American Top Team motivated him to move to the United States. He joined the PFL on 20 days’ notice and used the opportunity to build a dominant winning streak. In 2018, he entered as a heavyweight after previously fighting as a light-heavyweight, won multiple fights by knockout and submission, and became world champion at Madison Square Garden, earning $1 million. He remains among the top heavyweights and is preparing for a major fight against Francis Ngannou.

"I had an excellent start to my MMA career in Brazil. I went 7-0 there. That's when I caught the attention of my first international MMA organization -- Bellator. I debuted there in 2014. At Bellator, I went 3-3. It wasn't great, but I was able to show my talent, skills and aggression."

"Lins' last appearance at Bellator MMA couldn't have gone worse -- a knockout loss in the first round to current Professional Fighters League champion Vadim Nemkov. But even in a loss, he saw the great work performed by the Florida-based American Top Team. It was enough to prompt him to move to the United States and start anew. A year after that, he was brought into the PFL on 20 days' notice."

"It completely changed my life. It made all my work, all the blood and tears, all the chances I took; all worth it. I was able to showcase my abilities in the best possible fashion. That year, in 2018, I came into the PFL as a heavyweight. I had only fought as a light-heavyweight up to then. But I was highly confident."

"After entering the tournament through a side window, I scored three knockouts and one submission, wrapping up 2018 in a historic event at Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve. That's when I became world champion. Since then, I've been among the best heavyweights in the MMA world. I'll always be thankful to the PFL. They changed not jus"

Read at Sherdog