Ali Akbar Rosady
Los Angeles, California – Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) veteran Nate Diaz is slated to make his highly anticipated return to the sport, facing fellow former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Mike Perry in a five-round welterweight bout on May 16, 2025. The contest, announced by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) on Monday, will be a pivotal addition to an already historic fight card featuring the previously confirmed matchups of Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou against Philippe Lins. The event is scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will stream live globally on Netflix, marking a significant foray for the streaming giant into live combat sports.
Diaz, a proud 40-year-old native of Stockton, California, last competed in an MMA bout in September 2022, securing a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. This marked the conclusion of his long-standing contract with the UFC, where he established a formidable legacy as a fan-favorite and one of the sport’s most enduring figures. Throughout his career, Diaz (21-13) has been renowned for his relentless pressure, durable chin, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess, engaging in numerous memorable battles against top-tier opponents, including two blockbuster fights against Conor McGregor. His tenure in the UFC saw him capture "Fight of the Night" honors multiple times, solidifying his reputation for delivering thrilling performances.
Since his departure from the UFC, Diaz has remained active in professional boxing. In August 2023, he made his boxing debut against Jake Paul, suffering a decision loss in a high-profile crossover event. He then returned to the boxing ring in June 2024, securing a close decision victory over former UFC "BMF" titleholder Jorge Masvidal, a fighter he previously faced in MMA at UFC 244. His foray into boxing demonstrated his continued commitment to combat sports and his ability to draw significant viewership across different disciplines.
Commenting on his return to MMA, Diaz expressed his enthusiasm: "Glad to be back in action. It’s time. 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." These remarks underscore his long-term ambitions within combat sports and his intent to continue shaping his legacy outside the traditional promotional structures.
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His opponent, Mike Perry (14-8), enters the contest with a revitalized career trajectory following his departure from the UFC in 2021. Perry, known for his aggressive, brawling style and powerful striking, had experienced a challenging period in the UFC, losing four of his final five bouts within the organization. However, he successfully reinvented himself in the bare-knuckle boxing circuit, where he has become a dominant force. Perry currently holds the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) "King of Violence" title, boasting an undefeated 6-0 record in bare-knuckle competition. His notable victories in BKFC include wins over established MMA names such as Luke Rockhold, Michael Page, and Eddie Alvarez, showcasing his adaptability and raw combat skills.
Like Diaz, Perry also ventured into professional boxing, notably facing Jake Paul in February 2024, where he was stopped in six rounds. His return to MMA against Diaz marks a significant test, assessing how his bare-knuckle experience and refined striking will translate back to a full MMA rule set, including grappling and kicks. Perry conveyed his characteristic intensity regarding the upcoming bout, stating, "’The King of Violence’ returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f—ing face. Saturday, May 16, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out." This statement highlights the aggressive mindset Perry is expected to bring to the cage.
The welterweight clash between Diaz and Perry is anticipated to be a high-octane affair. Diaz’s relentless pressure, durable boxing, and submission threat will be pitted against Perry’s raw power, aggressive striking, and improved resilience from his bare-knuckle tenure. Both fighters possess a reputation for engaging in fan-friendly wars, making their matchup a compelling addition to the card. The five-round format provides ample opportunity for a strategic battle or a grueling war of attrition, playing to the strengths of both athletes known for their stamina and willingness to push the pace.
The event itself represents a bold strategic move for Most Valuable Promotions. Co-created in 2021 by Jake Paul and former UFC executive Nakisa Bidarian, MVP has rapidly emerged as a significant disruptor in the boxing promotional landscape. The company has been particularly successful in curating a deep roster of women’s boxing stars, including undisputed featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, and has been instrumental in organizing some of the most viewed boxing events in recent history.
MVP’s expansion into MMA with this debut event signifies a substantial broadening of its promotional scope. Nakisa Bidarian articulated the promotion’s ambitious vision: "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. 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’s comments underscore MVP’s confidence in the star power assembled for this card and its potential to attract unprecedented viewership figures for an MMA event.
The tripleheader card is designed to captivate a broad audience, featuring an array of combat sports legends. The main event is expected to be the highly anticipated matchup between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Rousey, an Olympic medalist in judo, revolutionized women’s MMA with her dominant reign as UFC Bantamweight Champion, becoming a global superstar. Carano is widely recognized as one of the sport’s original female pioneers, whose Strikeforce bouts brought significant attention to women’s combat sports before her transition to an acting career. Their long-rumored clash finally materializing promises to be a nostalgic and historically significant encounter.
Adding further gravitas to the event is the heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou and Philippe Lins. Ngannou, known for his devastating knockout power, made headlines with his transition from MMA to boxing, facing Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in high-profile bouts. His return to MMA against Lins, a veteran with experience in both the UFC and Professional Fighters League (PFL), ensures a hard-hitting contest in the heavyweight division.
The decision to stream the event exclusively on Netflix is a groundbreaking development for combat sports. Netflix’s immense global subscriber base provides an unparalleled platform for exposure, potentially introducing MMA to millions of new viewers worldwide. This partnership could fundamentally alter the distribution model for major combat sports events, moving beyond traditional pay-per-view and specialized sports networks. The combination of legendary fighters, high-stakes matchups, and a global streaming platform positions the May 16 event as a potentially transformative moment for the combat sports industry.
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