Tag: mvp promotions

Nate Diaz return added to Netflix’s Rousey vs. Carano card

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former UFC star Nate Diaz is returning on the card for Netflix’s first-ever live MMA special.

It was announced today that Diaz vs. Mike Perry will take place on the undercard of Netflix’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event on May 16. The show is being held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California and will stream live for Netflix subscribers at no additional cost.

Diaz vs. Perry will be contested at 170 pounds. It’s Diaz’s first MMA fight since 2022 and Perry’s first since 2021. Both are former UFC fighters who have tried their hand at boxing in recent years. Perry has also competed for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Netflix hyped up Diaz as a “combat sports icon” whose rivalry with Conor McGregor was the biggest box-office feud in MMA history.

“The bout adds another explosive matchup to a blockbuster triple-headliner that already includes a heavyweight clash between Francis Ngannou and Philippe Lins and a historic women’s main event between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano,” the streaming platform wrote in a press release.

MVP Promotions — owned by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian — is the promoter of this event. Diaz and Perry have each worked with Paul before, losing to him in boxing matches.

Bidarian thanked Netflix for believing in MVP’s and said he believes the future of MMA is bright with them working together.

“Nate Diaz is the Real BMF, and Mike Perry is the King of Violence — this will be a war from the first press conference all the way to the end when one of them has their hand raised,” Bidarian said. “It’s an absolutely massive night of fights in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 16th, as we continue building some of the biggest global events in combat sports. Thank you to Netflix for believing in our vision. The future of MMA is bright.”

To help promote the MMA card, Rousey showed up at AEW Revolution on Sunday night after her friend Marina Shafir lost to “Timeless” Toni Storm.

Francis Ngannou returning on Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix special

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The card for Netflix’s first-ever live MMA special has gotten a significant injection of star power.

It was announced today that former UFC star Francis Ngannou will return to MMA on the May 16 special, facing off against Brazilian fighter Philipe Lins. It will be the co-main event that night alongside Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. The show is taking place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California and is being promoted by MVP Promotions, which is run by co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.

“Francis Ngannou is unequivocally the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, and his addition creates star power like never before seen in the sport,” Paul and Bidarian said in a press release. “Francis is one of the most feared knockout artists the sport has ever seen, and his return to MMA instantly makes this a historic night.

“Philipe Lins is a proven champion who built his reputation the hard way against elite competition, and knows this is his chance to cement his legacy and take Brazil back to the top of the sport.”

Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion but departed the company in 2023 amid a contract dispute. He later competed in boxing and had one MMA fight for the PFL. Just a few days ago, it was confirmed that Ngannou and the PFL had parted ways.

“My return to MMA demanded a stage that matched the scale of my ambition, and partnering with MVP to bring this event to Netflix ensures the entire world is watching,” Ngannou said. “I am ready for this new chapter, and I cannot wait to entertain my fans again and remind the world exactly who I am and what I am capable of delivering on the highest stage.”

Lins has fought for the UFC, PFL, and Bellator during his MMA career.

The May 16 event will stream live for Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. A press conference to hype up the card is set to take place this Tuesday (March 10).