Ali Akbar Rosady
Mixed Martial Arts veteran Nate Diaz is set to make his highly anticipated return to the sport after a two-year hiatus, facing fellow former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Mike Perry in a welterweight bout. The five-round contest, announced by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) on Monday, is scheduled for May 16 in Los Angeles. This significant addition further solidifies a marquee combat sports event, emanating from the Intuit Dome and streaming live globally on Netflix, which already features high-profile matchups including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou vs. Philippe Lins.
Diaz, 40, last competed in MMA in September 2022, securing a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. That fight marked the conclusion of his long-standing contract with the UFC, a promotion where he rose to global prominence as a fan favorite known for his durable, aggressive fighting style and iconic "Stockton slap." Throughout his illustrious career, Diaz (21-13) has been a staple of the sport’s biggest events, including two memorable encounters with Conor McGregor that shattered pay-per-view records and cemented his status as one of MMA’s most compelling figures. His tenure in the UFC spanned 15 years, during which he consistently engaged in high-stakes bouts, often against top-ranked opposition in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Following his departure from the UFC, the Stockton, California native ventured into professional boxing. In August 2023, Diaz made his boxing debut against Jake Paul, suffering a unanimous decision loss in a 10-round cruiserweight contest. Demonstrating his enduring appeal and willingness to compete across combat disciplines, he returned to the boxing ring in June 2024, securing a close decision victory over former UFC opponent Jorge Masvidal. His continued activity in professional combat sports underscores his commitment to the arena.
Commenting on his return to MMA, Diaz stated, "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." This statement reflects Diaz’s characteristic confidence and his intention to remain a significant force in combat sports for the foreseeable future.
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His opponent, Mike Perry, 32, known as "Platinum," brings a reputation for unyielding aggression and a brawling style. Perry (14-8) also has a significant history within the UFC, where he competed from 2016 to 2021. During his UFC tenure, Perry amassed a record of 7-8, delivering several memorable performances characterized by his willingness to engage in stand-up wars. However, a string of four losses in his final five UFC appearances preceded his departure from the organization.
Since leaving the UFC in 2021, Perry has successfully reinvented himself in the bare-knuckle boxing circuit, becoming a prominent figure and the reigning Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) "King of Violence" champion. His transition to bare-knuckle boxing has been remarkably successful, with a perfect 6-0 record. This impressive run includes notable victories over former MMA stars such as Michael Page, Julian Lane, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez, re-establishing Perry as a formidable and exciting combatant. His bare-knuckle success has revitalized his career and garnered him a new fan base appreciative of his raw, unfiltered fighting approach. Similar to Diaz, Perry also engaged in a professional boxing match against Jake Paul in February 2024, where he was stopped in six rounds.
Perry expressed his readiness for 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." His aggressive declaration aligns with his established persona and suggests a high-octane encounter with Diaz.
The event is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a company co-created in 2021 by Jake Paul and former UFC Chief Financial Officer Nakisa Bidarian. MVP has rapidly emerged as a disruptive force within the boxing promotional landscape, orchestrating several high-profile crossover boxing events involving celebrities and established combat sports figures. The promotion has also made significant strides in bolstering its roster of women’s boxing stars. This venture into MMA marks a strategic expansion for MVP, which is now positioning the May 16 card as "the most star-studded MMA fight card ever assembled."
Nakisa Bidarian underscored the magnitude of the upcoming event, stating, "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’s comments highlight MVP’s ambition to leverage the star power of the fighters involved and the global reach of Netflix to achieve unprecedented viewership figures for an MMA event.
The tripleheader card features two other highly anticipated bouts. The co-main event pits two pioneers of women’s MMA against each other: Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Rousey, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion and Olympic medalist, and Carano, an early superstar of women’s combat sports, represent a dream matchup that has been discussed for over a decade. Their contest carries significant historical weight for the sport. Additionally, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou, who has also transitioned into professional boxing with high-profile bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, is scheduled to face Philippe Lins. Ngannou’s return to MMA, albeit outside the UFC, against a formidable opponent like Lins, adds another layer of intrigue to the card.
The decision to stream the event live on Netflix represents a significant development in combat sports distribution. Netflix’s expansive global subscriber base offers a unique platform for reaching a massive, diverse audience, potentially introducing MMA to millions of new viewers. This move by MVP and Netflix could signal a shift in how major combat sports events are delivered, moving beyond traditional pay-per-view models towards subscription-based streaming. The combination of established MMA legends, crossover stars, and a novel distribution platform positions this May 16 event as a pivotal moment for the combat sports industry.
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