2018 PFL champion Philipe Lins joins UFC, meets Andrei Arlovski at UFC Oklahoma City

Philipe Lins won a PFL championship in 2018. Now the Brazilian big man sets his sights on UFC gold.

Lins (14-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has signed with the UFC and is booked for a May debut vs. former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC Oklahoma City.

A light heavyweight fight between longtime UFC veteran Ed Herman (25-14 MMA, 12-11 UFC) and Korean up-and-comer Da Un Jung (13-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) also has been added to the May 2 card.

The promotion announced both bookings through The Oklahoman on Thursday.

Although Lins won the 2018 PFL Championship and the $1 million that came from it, he withdrew from the 2019 season due to an apparent injury. Prior to his undefeated four-fight stint with PFL, Lins competed in Bellator from 2014-2017. During his Bellator tenure, Lins went 3-3.

As for Arlovski (28-19 MMA, 17-10 UFC), “The Pitbull” has struggled as of late, going 1-4 with one no contest in his most recent six fights. Arlovski’s most recent bout came in November, when he was knocked out by surging Surinamese heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

UFC Oklahoma City takes place May 2 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The event does not have an official numerical designation, though it is expected to air on ESPN or stream on ESPN+.

The latest UFC Oklahoma City card now includes:

• Jack Hermansson vs. Chris Weidman
• Sarah Alpar vs. Duda Santana
• Claudia Gadelha vs. Marina Rodriguez
• Andrei Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins
• Ed Herman vs. Da Un Jung