I am the lineal heavyweight champion - Ngannou

Francis Ngannou is unbeaten in MMA since November 2018 [Getty Images]

Francis Ngannou believes he is the lineal heavyweight MMA world champion as he prepares to make his fighting return against Philipe Lins on Saturday in California.

The 39-year-old left the UFC as their reigning heavyweight champion and has won one MMA fight in the PFL since leaving the promotion in 2023.

While MMA has no official lineal championship line like in boxing, Ngannou is considered by many as the best heavyweight in the world - despite Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall becoming champions in the UFC in his absence.

Asked if he agreed with that view, Ngannou said "of course" and that he is defending the position against Lins.

"I never lost the UFC title but I didn't lose the PFL title either," he said.

Ngannou is among a host of ex-UFC stars fighting on the MVP-Netflix card, with Ronda Rousey headlining in her first MMA bout in 10 years.

The Cameroonian left the UFC at the height of his powers in a highly unusual move but has prospered outside the mammoth MMA promotion, earning millions in boxing and now fighting on Netflix.

Ngannou hopes MVP, fronted by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidaria, can offer a lucrative alternative for fighters.

Ngannou said the end of his time at the UFC was "horrible" as he fell out with the top brass and Dana White.

"It's very important that fighters have an alternative. I've been out there for a little while now and I understand why so many fighters are scared," Ngannou told BBC Sport.

"The [UFC] contracts are not fair - they give all the rights to the promoter and don't protect the fighter.

"The fighters are just an asset and they can get rid of you when they want. If you don't fight you don't get paid and you have no right to do anything else."