Ali Akbar Rosady
Los Angeles, California – Veteran mixed martial arts icon Nate Diaz is poised to make his highly anticipated return to the sport, stepping back into the cage for the first time since 2022. The legendary fighter, renowned for his gritty style and unyielding toughness, has agreed to a five-round welterweight contest against fellow former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) combatant Mike Perry. The bout, announced Monday by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), is slated for May 16 at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will be streamed live globally on Netflix.
This marquee matchup significantly bolsters an already historic card, joining the long-awaited dream fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, as well as a heavyweight clash featuring Francis Ngannou against Philippe Lins. The tripleheader marks MVP’s ambitious debut in mixed martial arts, aiming to set new benchmarks for viewership and star power in the sport.
Diaz, who will be 40 years old at the time of the fight, last competed in MMA in September 2022, securing a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. That fight notably marked the conclusion of his extensive and often tumultuous contract with the UFC, a promotion where he rose to global stardom through a career spanning over 15 years and numerous memorable encounters. His career record stands at 21 wins and 13 losses, punctuated by an ability to draw massive crowds and cultivate a devoted fanbase through his authentic, no-nonsense persona.
Following his departure from the UFC, Diaz ventured into professional boxing, maintaining a high-profile presence in combat sports. In August 2023, he faced YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul, suffering a unanimous decision loss in a crossover spectacle that garnered significant attention. He then bounced back with a close decision win over former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal in a boxing match in 2024, a contest that reignited a rivalry stemming from their "BMF" title fight in the UFC. His foray into boxing demonstrated his continued willingness to challenge himself in different disciplines and his enduring appeal to fight fans.
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Speaking on his impending return, Diaz conveyed a sense of renewed purpose and ambition. "Glad to be back in action. It’s time," Nate Diaz stated. "Don’t forget where this all came from. I got plans on doing a lot more in the next 10 years, no matter where it is. Time to set the bar again, so get ready for a new takeover again and again until the end of time." His declaration underscores a desire to remain active and influential in combat sports, irrespective of the promotional banner.
His opponent, Mike Perry, known as "Platinum" and more recently as the "King of Violence," has forged a remarkable path of resurgence in recent years. Perry, with a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 8 losses, departed the UFC in 2021 after a challenging period that saw him lose four of his last five bouts within the organization. However, he has since reinvented himself as a formidable force in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he holds an unblemished 6-0 record and currently reigns as the "King of Violence" champion. His tenure in BKFC has been marked by a series of brutal, fan-pleasing performances, earning him widespread acclaim for his toughness and aggressive striking. Notable victories in BKFC include dominant showings against fellow former MMA stars, re-establishing his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports. Like Diaz, Perry also crossed over into boxing, suffering a six-round stoppage loss to Jake Paul in 2024.
Perry expressed his characteristic intensity regarding the upcoming clash. "’The King of Violence’ returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f—ing face," Mike Perry declared. "Saturday, May 16, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out." His comments reflect the raw, unfiltered approach that has endeared him to a segment of the fight audience.
The stylistic matchup between Diaz and Perry promises a high-octane affair. Diaz, a southpaw, is renowned for his relentless pressure, high-volume boxing, exceptional jiu-jitsu, and legendary cardio. His ability to absorb punishment and wear down opponents mentally and physically has been a hallmark of his career. Perry, on the other hand, is a brawling, power-punching orthodox fighter who thrives in close-quarters exchanges, utilizing his formidable striking power and granite chin. His transition to bare-knuckle boxing has further sharpened his striking defense and offensive aggression. The encounter between Diaz’s technical boxing and grappling prowess against Perry’s raw power and bare-knuckle experience presents an intriguing clash of styles, almost guaranteeing a violent and entertaining spectacle for fans. Both fighters are celebrated for their willingness to engage in wars of attrition, making this welterweight showdown a highly anticipated addition to the MVP card.
The significance of this event extends beyond just Diaz’s return. Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded in 2021 by Jake Paul and former UFC executive Nakisa Bidarian, has rapidly ascended as a major disruptive force in the combat sports landscape. Initially making waves in professional boxing by orchestrating high-profile crossover events and signing a deep roster of talent, including several prominent women’s boxing stars, MVP is now venturing into MMA with a clear intent to replicate its success.
Bidarian articulated the promotion’s ambitious vision for their MMA debut. "MVP delivered the most-viewed boxing event since the advent of cable, and now we’re set to break records again with the biggest viewership in MMA history with the addition of Diaz-Perry to Rousey-Carano and Ngannou-Lins," Bidarian stated. "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." His remarks highlight the strategic intent to leverage the star power of the fighters involved to attract an unprecedented global audience via the Netflix platform.
The undercard itself features two monumental matchups. The co-main event, Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, is a dream fight that fans have speculated about for over a decade. Rousey, a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and Olympic judo medalist, revolutionized women’s MMA during her dominant reign before transitioning to a successful career in professional wrestling with WWE. Carano, a trailblazer in women’s combat sports, was one of the sport’s first female superstars, known for her striking prowess and captivating presence in Strikeforce. A fight between these two icons was long considered impossible due to their respective career trajectories and retirements, making its realization a testament to MVP’s ability to attract legendary talent.
The heavyweight contest will see former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou make his return to MMA. Ngannou, who famously left the UFC while holding its heavyweight title, has since ventured into high-profile professional boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. His decision to return to the MMA cage against Philippe Lins, a seasoned heavyweight with experience in promotions like Bellator and PFL, signifies a crucial step in his multi-sport combat career. Lins, known for his durable style and willingness to engage, provides a legitimate test for Ngannou’s highly anticipated return to his original discipline.
The combined star power of Diaz, Perry, Rousey, Carano, and Ngannou on a single card represents a significant departure from traditional combat sports programming models. By partnering with Netflix, MVP aims to bypass conventional pay-per-view barriers, offering this event to Netflix’s vast global subscriber base, potentially making it the most accessible and viewed combat sports event in history. The Intuit Dome, a state-of-the-art facility in Los Angeles, will provide a fitting backdrop for what MVP is branding as "the most star-studded MMA fight card ever assembled."
The event on May 16 is expected to draw immense attention from both long-time MMA aficionados and new viewers attracted by the mainstream appeal of the fighters and the Netflix platform. It represents a bold statement from MVP, signalling their intent to not only disrupt the combat sports industry but to redefine how major events are produced, promoted, and consumed globally. The return of Nate Diaz, a true embodiment of the fighting spirit, against the relentless Mike Perry, adds another layer of excitement to an already historic night.
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