MMA News

Tag: Most Valuable Promotions

  • Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    A highly anticipated matchup between two of the world’s best non-UFC flyweights has fallen apart just days before the blockbuster Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card.

    Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Saturday that Muhammad Mokaev has been forced out of next weekend’s Netflix event due to visa complications, resulting in a late opponent change for Adriano Moraes ahead of the May 16 card at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Instead, undefeated prospect Phumi Nkuta will now step in on short notice to face Moraes in a 130-pound catchweight bout.

    Muhammad Mokaev Suffers Frustrating Setback Ahead Of Massive Netflix Card

    Mokaev’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the event, given the intrigue surrounding the matchup. The undefeated flyweight was widely viewed as one of the standout names attached to the card, and many fans saw the fight as a potential statement opportunity that could help reopen the door to a UFC return.

    The 25-year-old remains unbeaten in professional MMA with a 16-0 record and previously went 7-0 inside the UFC before his surprising release in 2024. During his time with the promotion, Mokaev picked up victories over notable names such as Manel Kape, Alex Perez, and Tim Elliott.

    Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued winning outside the promotion and even captured the inaugural Brave CF flyweight championship last year.

    His replacement, Nkuta, enters the spotlight carrying an undefeated 11-0 professional record. The South African-born flyweight has competed for promotions such as Bellator, LFA, and CFFC, where he previously held championship gold.

    Meanwhile, Moraes enters the matchup looking to rebound from recent struggles. The longtime ONE Championship standout famously defeated Demetrious Johnson during his title reign, though he has dropped three of his last four fights heading into the Netflix event.

    The May 16 card remains stacked despite the late change, featuring appearances from stars such as Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Junior dos Santos.

  • Jake Paul’s MVP Lands Multi-Show ESPN Deal, Debuts April 17 at MSG

    Jake Paul’s MVP Lands Multi-Show ESPN Deal, Debuts April 17 at MSG

    Jake Paul and MVP Promotions have been on a mission to place a bigger spotlight on women’s boxing, and they have taken the next step.

    In a press conference held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 6, MVP Promotions announced the launch of a new women’s boxing promotion known as MVPW.

    As part of MVP’s focus on women’s boxing, MVPW has signed a multi-year agreement with ESPN to air women’s boxing cards on its platform in the United States.

    Furthermore, MVP has signed a three-year deal with MSG Entertainment to host several cards at the arena.

    “Since inception MVP has strategically focused on creating an umbrella brand as the global home for women’s boxing, with the best fighters in the world, that engages existing boxing fans and attracts untapped fan demographics that embrace women’s sport, and today, we proudly enter a new era,” Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, MVP Promotions’ co-founders, said in a statement.

    “Over the past five years, we have invested heavily in female athletes, delivered historic and record-breaking events, and proven that these athletes belong on the biggest stages in the sport. Partnering with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, to launch MVPW across its platforms is a historic milestone, and aligning with the world’s most iconic venue, Madison Square Garden, as we introduce the brand in the U.S. reinforces the scale and ambition behind what we are building.”

    The full press conference from MVP Promotions can be viewed in the video player below.

    MVPW’s inaugural event will take place on April 5 in London. The headline bout will see a lightweight title unification match featuring WBC champion Caroline Dubois and WBO champion Terri Harper.

    MVPW 2 on April 17 will be the first of the aforementioned MSG cards, taking place in the venue’s InfoSys Theater. That card will be topped by WBA, WBO, IBF super featherweight champion Alycia Bumgardner defending against Bo Mi Re Shin. The fight will be held with 10 three-minute rounds.

    MVPW 3, which will be held on May 30 in El Paso, Texas, will see former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm return to the squared circle to challenge Stephanie Han for the WBA lightweight championship. Han defeated Holm via a technical decision in January after the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt.