Philipe Lins
Luiz Philipe Lins Pimentel do Amaral, known simply as Philipe Lins, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist whose career has been a rollercoaster of triumph and adversity. From an undefeated start in his home country to a million-dollar victory in the PFL, his journey is a testament to perseverance. Now, he stands on the cusp of his most high-profile fight yet, promising an exciting new chapter. Philipe Lins maintained an impressive undefeated record in his early career in Brazil before facing tougher competition internationally. His career highlight includes winning the 2018 Professional Fighters League Heavyweight Tournament and its substantial prize. Lins has navigated significant challenges, including multiple fight cancellations and injuries, to achieve a recent resurgence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
AI Summary
Luiz Philipe Lins Pimentel do Amaral, known simply as Philipe Lins, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist whose career has been a rollercoaster of triumph and adversity. From an undefeated start in his home country to a million-dollar victory in the PFL, his journey is a testament to perseverance. Now, he stands on the cusp of his most high-profile fight yet, promising an exciting new chapter.
- Philipe Lins maintained an impressive undefeated record in his early career in Brazil before facing tougher competition internationally.
- His career highlight includes winning the 2018 Professional Fighters League Heavyweight Tournament and its substantial prize.
- Lins has navigated significant challenges, including multiple fight cancellations and injuries, to achieve a recent resurgence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The Journey of Philipe Lins
Born on August 17, 1985, Luiz Philipe Lins Pimentel do Amaral — Philipe Lins to his fans — hails from Brazil and has carved out a compelling career in the demanding world of mixed martial arts. His path has seen him compete in some of the sport's biggest organizations, showcasing a tenacious spirit.
Early Brazilian Dominance
Lins made his professional MMA debut in August 2005, beginning a journey that would see him fight exclusively in his native Brazil for the first eight years. Despite a hiatus from 2006 to 2011, he remained an unstoppable force, building an impressive undefeated record of seven wins and zero losses.
During this period, his talent didn't go unnoticed. Major MMA news outlets, like Bloody Elbow, recognized his potential, ranking him as the second-best light heavyweight prospect in 2012 — a clear sign of big things to come on the international stage.
Bellator: The North American Introduction
In April 2014, Lins stepped onto the North American scene, making his Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 116. He quickly made an impact, defeating Travis Clark with a rear-naked choke submission in the very first round, signaling his arrival with authority.
His early success led him into the 2014 Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament. He secured another first-round submission win in the quarterfinals, but his tournament run was unfortunately cut short in the semifinals due to a knee injury.
Lins continued to compete in Bellator, facing a mix of wins and losses, including a TKO victory over Guilherme Viana. However, after a few challenging bouts and an illness that caused him to pull out of a scheduled fight, Bellator announced his release from the promotion in February 2018.
PFL Glory: A Million-Dollar Triumph
Undeterred, Lins entered the inaugural Professional Fighters League (PFL) Heavyweight Tournament in the fall of 2018. This was a pivotal moment, offering a clear path to a championship and a life-changing prize.
He dominated his way through the bracket at PFL 8, securing a guillotine choke submission in the quarterfinals and a TKO victory in the semifinals. Lins then faced Josh Copeland in the finals on New Year's Eve 2018.
In a spectacular performance, Lins defeated Copeland via technical knockout in the fourth round. This victory not only crowned him the 2018 PFL Heavyweight Champion but also earned him an incredible $1 million prize, marking the pinnacle of his career at that point.
UFC Challenges and Resurgence
Following his PFL success, Lins signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's premier MMA organization. His UFC debut, originally scheduled against former champion Andrei Arlovski, was delayed due to the pandemic, and he ultimately lost a unanimous decision in May 2020.
His early UFC tenure was unfortunately plagued by a series of withdrawals and fight cancellations, primarily due to injuries and illnesses. These setbacks made it difficult for Lins to build momentum and consistently showcase his skills.
Despite these challenges, Lins persevered. He returned to the light heavyweight division and began to find his stride, securing significant unanimous decision victories over Marcin Prachnio and Maxim Grishin, as well as an impressive first-round knockout against Ovince Saint Preux.
His momentum continued into 2024, where he clinched another unanimous decision win against Ion Cuțelaba at UFC 299, further cementing his place as a legitimate threat in the light heavyweight division. He had overcome the turbulence to build a solid winning streak.
A New Chapter: High-Stakes Bout
The mixed martial arts landscape is ever-changing. After a brief announcement of signing with the Global Fight League, which was later indefinitely cancelled, Lins now looks ahead to his biggest challenge yet.
In what promises to be a blockbuster event produced by Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix, Philipe Lins is scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou. This five-round co-main event bout, set for May 16, 2026, will undoubtedly be the highest-profile fight of Lins' career.
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Philipe Lins
Luiz Philipe Lins Pimentel do Amaral (born August 17, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He won the 2018 Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Lins made his professional MMA debut in August 2005. For the first eight years of his career he fought exclusively in his native country Brazil, although he did take an extended break from MMA competition from 2006 to 2011. He remained undefeated during his time in Brazil, earning a record of seven wins and no losses.
Before signing with Bellator, Lins was ranked by MMA news site Bloody Elbow as the second best Light Heavyweight prospect in 2012.
Bellator MMA
Lins made his North American and Bellator MMA debut in April 2014 at Bellator 116. He faced Travis Clark and won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
In the summer of 2014, Lins was announced as a participant in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament. He faced Austin Heidlage in the opening quarterfinals at Bellator 121 and won via submission in the first round. He faced Kelly Anundson in the semifinals and lost due to a knee injury.
Lins was expected to return against Francis Carmont at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on September 19, 2015, however pulled out of the bout due to illness.
Lins faced Guilherme Viana at Bellator 159 on July 23, 2016. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Lins faced Kleber Silva at Bellator 168 on December 10, 2016. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Lins faced Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
On February 20, 2018 it was announced that Bellator had released Lins from the promotion.
Professional Fighters League
In the fall of 2018, Lins entered the PFL Heavyweight tournament. At PFL 8 on October 5, 2018, he defeated Caio Alencar by guillotine choke submission in the quarterfinal round and then defeated Jared Rosholt by TKO in the semifinal round. Lins faced Josh Copeland in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via technical knockout in the fourth round to win the PFL Heavyweight Tournament and earn the $1 million cash prize.
Lins was expected to defend his championship in the second season of PFL, but had to withdraw from the whole season due to an injury.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lins was scheduled to make his UFC debut against former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski on May 2, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and rescheduled to May 13, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Lins faced Tanner Boser on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Lins was scheduled to face Don'Tale Mayes on November 7, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. However, on October 14, it was announced that Lins had a knee injury and pulled out of the event. Mayes is now expected to face Roque Martinez at this event.
Lins was scheduled to face Ben Rothwell on March 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 187. However, during the week leading up to the event the bout was removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons. The pairing remained intact and the bout was rescheduled on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24. While Rothwell made weight without issue, Lins never showed up to the weigh-ins and withdrew from the bout due to an illness. The bout was rescheduled again for May 22, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt. However, yet again, Lins was pulled from the event for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by newcomer Askhar Mozharov.
Lins was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux on November 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 197. However Saint Preux withdrew from the fight for undisclosed reasons and the bout was cancelled.
Lins was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov on December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31. However, Lins withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Jared Vanderaa.
Lins faced Marcin Prachnio on April 23, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 205. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lins was scheduled to face Maxim Grishin on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211. Despite both men weighing in successfully, the bout was cancelled while the event was in progress due to an undisclosed medical issue.
Lins was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux, replacing Alexander Gustafsson, on 10 December 2022, at UFC 282. However, Lins subsequently withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed reason.
The match between Lins and Ovince Saint Preux was rescheduled for February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Lins faced Maxim Grishin on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lins was scheduled to face Ion Cuțelaba on October 7, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 229. However the bout was cancelled the day of the event for unknown reasons.
Lins faced Ion Cuțelaba at on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299. He won by unanimous decision.
Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Lins was signed by Global Fight League. However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.
Most Valuable Promotions
Lins is scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou in a five-round co-main event bout at an event produced by Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix, on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Championships and accomplishments
Philipe Lins
• Professional Fighters League • 2018 PFL Heavyweight Championionship
Mixed martial arts record
Philipe Lins
<table><thead><tr><th>Res.</th><th>Record</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Method</th><th>Event</th><th>Date</th><th>Round</th><th>Time</th><th>Location</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Win</td><td>18–5</td><td>Ion Cuțelaba</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC 299</td><td>March 9, 2024</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Miami, Florida, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>17–5</td><td>Maxim Grishin</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi</td><td>June 3, 2023</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>16–5</td><td>Ovince Saint Preux</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield</td><td>February 18, 2023</td><td>1</td><td>0:49</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>15–5</td><td>Marcin Prachnio</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Andrade</td><td>April 23, 2022</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td>Return to Light Heavyweight.</td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>14–5</td><td>Tanner Boser</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker</td><td>June 27, 2020</td><td>1</td><td>2:41</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>14–4</td><td>Andrei Arlovski</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira</td><td>May 13, 2020</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Jacksonville, Florida, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>14–3</td><td>Josh Copeland</td><td>TKO (knees and punches)</td><td>PFL 11 (2018)</td><td>December 31, 2018</td><td>4</td><td>0:30</td><td>New York City, New York, United States</td><td>Won the 2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>13–3</td><td>Jared Rosholt</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>PFL 8 (2018)</td><td>October 5, 2018</td><td>2</td><td>0:45</td><td>New Orleans, Louisiana, United States</td><td>2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>12–3</td><td>Caio Alencar</td><td>Submission (guillotine choke)</td><td>1</td><td>0:58</td><td>2018 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>11–3</td><td>Alex Nicholson</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>PFL 4 (2018)</td><td>July 19, 2018</td><td>2</td><td>3:39</td><td>Uniondale, New York, United States</td><td>Heavyweight debut.</td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>10–3</td><td>Vadim Nemkov</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>Bellator 182</td><td>August 25, 2017</td><td>1</td><td>3:03</td><td>Verona, New York, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>10–2</td><td>Kleber Silva</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>Bellator 168</td><td>December 10, 2016</td><td>2</td><td>3:42</td><td>Florence, Italy</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>10–1</td><td>Guilherme Viana</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>Bellator 159</td><td>July 23, 2016</td><td>2</td><td>1:13</td><td>Mulvane, Kansas, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>9–1</td><td>Kelly Anundson</td><td>TKO (knee injury)</td><td>Bellator 122</td><td>July 25, 2014</td><td>1</td><td>1:40</td><td>Temecula, California, United States</td><td>2014 Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>9–0</td><td>Austen Heidlage</td><td>Submission (rear-naked choke)</td><td>Bellator 121</td><td>June 6, 2014</td><td>1</td><td>2:45</td><td>Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States</td><td>2014 Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>8–0</td><td>Travis Clark</td><td>Submission (rear-naked choke)</td><td>Bellator 116</td><td>April 11, 2014</td><td>1</td><td>0:40</td><td>Temecula, California, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>7–0</td><td>Armando Sixel</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>Bitetti Combat 18</td><td>October 31, 2013</td><td>2</td><td>3:30</td><td>Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>6–0</td><td>Ubiratan Lima</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>Bitetti Combat 17</td><td>September 6, 2013</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>5–0</td><td>Daniel Alexandre Freitas Bonfim</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>Rockstrike MMA 1</td><td>July 9, 2011</td><td>1</td><td>4:40</td><td>Brasília, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>4–0</td><td>Antonio Mendes</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>Nordeste Combat 1</td><td>September 6, 2006</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Natal, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>3–0</td><td>Anderson Cruz</td><td>Submission (triangle choke)</td><td>Tremons Fight 2</td><td>January 21, 2006</td><td>1</td><td>2:13</td><td>João Câmara, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>2–0</td><td>Antonio Mendes</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>Bad Boy: Vale Tudo Open</td><td>December 8, 2005</td><td>2</td><td>N/A</td><td>Fortaleza, Brazil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>1–0</td><td>Maurilio de Souza da Silva</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>Mossoró Fight 1</td><td>August 26, 2005</td><td>2</td><td>1:05</td><td>Mossoró, Brazil</td><td>Light Heavyweight debut.</td></tr></tbody></table>