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Tag: Nate Diaz

  • Stitch Duran Breaks Down Every Reason He Stopped The Nate Diaz Fight And The List Is Longer Than You Think

    Nate Diaz’s cutman, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, says he has no regrets about stopping the Diaz vs. Mike Perry fight between rounds, revealing Diaz suffered 15 staples and 20 stitches combined and had broken a finger during the bout.

    Duran spoke to MMA Junkie Radio on Monday, explaining the sequence of events that led to his decision to call off the fight before the third round at MVP MMA 1.

    “He ended up with 15 staples, 20 stitches all together. He was beat up. He was too strong for him. I always look at it as a judge, and at that point, he was getting his ass whooped. Mike was just too strong, too aggressive and he was working him. Then, Nate broke his finger right about here. He said, ‘I couldn’t do nothing.’ The cuts were so big here, it kept pulsating. It kept going and then his nose kept bleeding. It was the sign of maybe a broken nose. I told Nate, ‘I’m going to have the doctor stop the fight, man.’ I said, ‘It’s too much blood and you keep bleeding.’ The referee said, ‘Come on, let’s go.’ I said, ‘No, no, no. He’s not going out.’”

    The crowd at Intuit Dome booed the stoppage. Duran said what mattered most was that Diaz himself understood and expressed his gratitude.

    “Nate thanked me. He said, ‘Thanks.’ I said, ‘Of course.’ I was there to take care of him. That was a proper move. The thing about it is he said he couldn’t see. That’s always No. 1. It wasn’t a hard decision to make. He had blood everywhere. My job is to protect the fighter. That’s exactly what I did with Nate. At the end, when we were saying goodbye, he gives me a hug, ‘I love you.’ His dad was there. He thanked me. So of course I did the right thing. No question about it.”

    Duran also revealed he received a message of support from boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

    “You know what’s cool? I got a message from Marco Antonio Barrera from Guadalajara. He thanked me. He said great job. I got a lot of compliments from guys within the industry. They understand. My only job is to give that guy one more round and if he can’t go one more round, to take care of him. So I’m glad I was there for Nate.”

  • Dustin Poirier Unloads On Nate Diaz After MVP MMA Loss: ‘He Looked Like Dog S**t’

    Dustin Poirier Unloads On Nate Diaz After MVP MMA Loss: ‘He Looked Like Dog S**t’

    Dustin Poirier says Nate Diaz looked like “dog shit” against Mike Perry at MVP MMA 1 and offered a blunt assessment of where Diaz is at in his career, while reiterating his desire to fight his longtime rival.

    Diaz lost to Perry by corner stoppage after the second round on Saturday’s Netflix card. In his post-fight media, Diaz said he has no interest in fighting anyone who is retired — a shot at Poirier, who retired last year. Poirier responded on his show Deep Waters.

    “We’ve been circling each other for years and years and years. We could have fought. He knows that. I wish he would be honest with the fans and say he pulled out, or didn’t come to terms with the UFC, whatever it was, for the couple of times we were supposed to fight, that it never happened. But dude, after the way he looked on Saturday night, he can’t talk right now. He needs to take a break. He needs to go get some sleep and rest. Not me, you know. He looked like dog shit. He looked horrible. He looked like he didn’t want to be in there, looked like a punching bag, looked off balance, his timing was horrible. I mean, when somebody loses, I don’t like to shit on them too hard, but he knows. He looked horrible.”

    Poirier said his offer to fight Diaz still stands, even if it means coming out of retirement.

    “My invitation is still out there. At 170, I’ll go back in the drug testing protocol, whatever. I will knock Nate Diaz complete out. It’s crazy that he’s bringing me up in a post-fight. Apparently, he wants to fight, or he’s thinking about it. And it’s just like, after a performance like that, it’s like, what am I doing? It’s like I’m picking on somebody if I’m chasing Nate Diaz, the way he’s looking. It’s like I’m picking on the easy fight, easy win. But Nate Diaz, I will knock you clean out if we fight.”

    Despite the harsh words, Poirier made clear his criticism comes from a place of genuine concern.

    “Listen, bro, even though I talk about Nate, and I want to beat his ass, I’m a fan. I’ve been a fan of him and his brother for a long time. But that was the worst I’ve ever seen him. He’s just 41 years old and has a million miles. You can’t keep that fighting style, the way he fights, forever. It’s coming to the end.”

    Poirier would need to be released from his UFC contract to pursue a fight with Diaz outside the promotion.

  • MVP MMA: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Attendance Revealed, And It’s Not What Fans Thought

    The numbers are in for the first-ever MVP MMA event on Netflix, and they tell a very different story from what some viewers believed during the broadcast.

    The card, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano, took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. While social media chatter suggested the arena looked sparse on TV, early attendance figures paint a much stronger picture.

    According to industry analyst Dave Meltzer, the event drew 15,795 fans inside the venue. The Intuit Dome typically holds over 18,000 spectators for combat sports events, meaning the show fell short of a sellout but still filled a significant portion of the building.

    “The idea that the building was empty was ludicrous, but it was not sold out,” Meltzer wrote, pushing back against claims that the turnout was disappointing.

    The perception of empty sections may have been influenced by the arena’s layout, which some fans say does not always translate well on camera. Despite that, the turnout stands as a notable achievement, especially for a promotion outside the UFC banner.

    For context, recent UFC events at the same venue have drawn similar paid attendance figures, highlighting that MVP MMA’s debut effort managed to compete in a space typically dominated by the sport’s biggest promotion.

  • Gina Carano Weighed Heavier Than Ronda Rousey On Fight Night Despite Being Lighter At Weigh-Ins

    Gina Carano Weighed Heavier Than Ronda Rousey On Fight Night Despite Being Lighter At Weigh-Ins

    Gina Carano weighed 10 pounds more on fight night than she did at the official weigh-ins, coming in at 152 pounds after tipping the scale at 141.4 the day before Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 main event.

    Ronda Rousey, by contrast, gained just one pound overnight, going from 142 to 143. The California State Athletic Commission provided the full fight night weights to MMA Junkie, with CSAC executive director Andy Foster supplying the list.

    The size difference proved irrelevant as Rousey submitted Carano with her signature armbar in 17 seconds to win the Netflix headliner at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    The largest rehydration on the card came from Namo Fazil, who went from 170.8 pounds at the weigh-ins to 198 on fight night — a 27-pound swing.

    Full MVP MMA 1 fight night weights:

    • Ronda Rousey: 142 to 143 pounds
    • Gina Carano: 141.4 to 152 pounds
    • Nate Diaz: 168.6 to 184.6 pounds
    • Mike Perry: 169.6 to 181.4 pounds
    • Francis Ngannou: 257 to 258.6 pounds
    • Philipe Lins: 220.6 to 221 pounds
    • Salahdine Parnasse: 154.8 to 169 pounds
    • Kenneth Cross: 155.4 to 168.4 pounds
    • Junior Dos Santos: 245.4 to 249.8 pounds
    • Robelis Despaigne: 258.8 to 263.2 pounds
    • Namo Fazil: 170.8 to 198 pounds
    • Jake Babian: 171 to 186.8 pounds
    • Adriano Moraes: 129 to 138.4 pounds
    • Phumi Nkuta: 130 to 143.4 pounds
    • Jason Jackson: 170.8 to 182.6 pounds
    • Jefferson Creighton: 168.2 to 184.6 pounds
    • David Mgoyan: 145.2 to 158.8 pounds
    • Albert Morales: 143.8 to 158.6 pounds
    • Aline Pereira: 128 to 142.4 pounds
    • Jade Masson-Wong: 129.2 to 141.6 pounds
    • Chris Avila: 164 to 175.6 pounds
    • Brandon Jenkins: 164.2 to 179.2 pounds

  • Nate Diaz Had Surprising Reaction To Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Announcement

    Nate Diaz reacted calmly to the news of Conor McGregor’s return, saying the rematch with Max Holloway should have happened a long time ago.

    Diaz spoke to the media after MVP MMA 1 on Saturday night, where he lost to Mike Perry. He was asked about Dana White’s announcement of McGregor vs. Holloway 2 at UFC 329, made during the Netflix event.

    “That’s going to be a good fight, it’s about time. It’s a rematch, right? Because Conor was taking him down the last time, so that’s going to be a good fight.”

    Diaz then asked the media what they thought, before adding his own take.

    “It should have happened a long time ago, right?”

    McGregor and Holloway first fought at UFC 194 in December 2015, with Holloway winning by unanimous decision. McGregor has not competed since July 2021.

  • ‘War’ – Mike Perry Puts Beating On Nate Diaz For Stoppage Win

    In a bloody striking-filled war, Mike Perry scored perhaps the biggest win of his combat career, stopping Nate Diaz in two rounds in the MVP MMA co-main event.

    Perry came out aggressively from the opening seconds, looking to bring forward pressure and aggression with inside strikes, namely elbows. Diaz looked for an early leg lock attempt, but back on the feet, Perry had his way, working Diaz over with body strikes and quickly wearing him down.

    Diaz landed strong shots of his own, working the jab and busting Perry up as well. But Perry’s onslaught on the feet was too much, as he continued to land combinations and make the blood pour from Diaz.

    Perry landed a strong knee before the end of the round. While Diaz survived to the end of round two, the corner ended the fight due to all the blood pouring out of Diaz, giving Perry the victory.

    Mike Perry Bloodies, Finishes Nate Diaz At MVP MMA

    This was Diaz’s first MMA bout since submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Since then, he competed in two boxing bouts, losing to Jake Paul and defeating Jorge Masvidal.

    Perry has built a name for himself in the BKFC, becoming their current King of Violence. This was Perry’s first professional MMA bout since losing to Daniel Rodriguez in April 2021.

  • MVP MMA Results: Rousey vs. Carano Live Updates & Highlights

    MVP MMA Results: Rousey vs. Carano Live Updates & Highlights

    MVP MMA results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The main event will feature a women’s featherweight bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano – Women’s Featherweight Main Event

    This will be Rousey’s first professional MMA fight since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. After winning a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics, Rousey elevated herself and women’s MMA with her finishes in the cage, going on to become Strikeforce and (the inaugural) UFC women’s bantamweight champion. This marks Rousey’s first fight at women’s featherweight since the very early portion of her career.

    This marks Carano’s first MMA fight since losing to Cris Cyborg in 2009, the sole loss in Carano’s MMA career. Carano, a women’s MMA pioneer, won seven straight fights before that defeat.

    The co-main event will see Nate Diaz take on Mike Perry. This marks Diaz’s first professional MMA fight since defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Diaz has since fought twice in boxing. Perry, now a standout fighter in BKFC, will be competing in a professional MMA bout for the first time since parting with the UFC in 2021.

    Francis Ngannou also makes his MMA return at this event, taking on Phillipe Lins. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, fought just one time for the PFL, defeating Renan Ferreira. Lins, who won the 2018 PFL heavyweight title, went 4-2 in the UFC. Lins last fought in professional MMA at UFC 299, defeating Ion Cutelaba.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from MVP MMA!

    How to Watch MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano

    • Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
    • Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
    • Streaming: Netflix (Main Card), YouTube (Prelims)
    • Prelims: 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano Quick Results

    • Main Event: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano — Ronda Rousey def. Gina Carano via submission (armbar) (Rd. 1, 0:17)
    • Co-Main Event: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry — Mike Perry def. Nate Diaz via TKO (stoppage) (Rd. 2, 5:00)
    • Francis Ngannou vs. Phillipe Lins — Francis Ngannou def. Phillipe Lins via KO (Rd. 1, 4:31)
    • Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross — Salahdine Parnasse def. Kenneth Cross via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:18)
    • Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne — Robelis Despaigne def. Junior dos Santos via KO (Rd. 1, 2:59)

    MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (YouTube, 6 PM ET)

    Catchweight (165 lbs): Chris Avila vs. Brandon Jenkins

    Result: Brandon Jenkins def. Chris Avila via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Aline Pereira vs. Jade Masson-Wong

    Result: Aline Pereira def. Jade Masson-Wong via split decision (29-28 x2, 27-30)

    Featherweight: David Mgoyan vs. Albert Morales

    Result: David Mgoyan def. Albert Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

    Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Jeff Creighton

    Result: Jason Jackson def. Jeff Creighton via KO (Rd. 1, 0:22)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Adriano Moraes vs. Phumi Nkuta

    Result: Adriano Moraes def. Phumi Nkuta via technical submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:59)

    Welterweight: Namo Fazil vs. Jake Babian

    Result: Namo Fazil def. Jake Babian via submission (anaconda choke) (Rd. 2, 0:58)

    Main Card (Netflix, 9 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne

    Result: Robelis Despaigne def. Junior dos Santos via KO (Rd. 1, 2:59)

    Lightweight: Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross

    Result: Salahdine Parnasse def. Kenneth Cross via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:18)

    Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou vs. Phillipe Lins

    Result: Francis Ngannou def. Phillipe Lins via KO (Rd. 1, 4:31)

    Welterweight: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry

    Result: Mike Perry def. Nate Diaz via TKO (stoppage) (Rd. 2, 5:00)

    Women’s Featherweight: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano

    Result: Ronda Rousey def. Gina Carano via submission (armbar) (Rd. 1, 0:17)

  • The Netflix Era Begins: Will MVP MMA Be The New Threat To UFC?

    The Netflix Era Begins: Will MVP MMA Be The New Threat To UFC?

    Saturday, May 16, marks an important day in the world of MMA, as Most Valuable Promotions holds its highly anticipated inaugural MMA event.

    The Jake Paul-led promotion, after putting on various boxing cards over the years, now looks to start a run in promoting MMA. It looks to be the latest alternative product to the UFC, starting things off with a bang by featuring a mix of star names and up-and-comers.

    The main event will feature the returns of two women’s MMA legends — Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. The bout is scheduled to be a five-round women’s featherweight contest.

    This will be Rousey’s first fight since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. The former UFC and Strikeforce champion has since had a pair of stints with the WWE, earning women’s championships.

    Carano, meanwhile, has not fought since her loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce in 2009. After MMA, Carano made a career for himself in film and television.

    The co-main event will be a five-round welterweight bout featuring Nate Diaz taking on Mike Perry.

    Diaz has not fought in MMA since his win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022. Diaz has since fought in a pair of boxing matches, losing to Jake Paul and defeating Jorge Masvidal. Perry has not fought in professional MMA since parting with the UFC in 2021, but he’s made a name for himself in BKFC.

    Francis Ngannou also makes his return on this card, taking on Phillipe Lins. This is the former UFC heavyweight champion’s first MMA bout since defeating Renan Ferreira in his lone PFL bout in October 2024. Lins won the PFL heavyweight title in its inaugural 2018 season. He then went to the UFC, losing his first two bouts before winning four straight, before parting ways with the promotion. Lins has not fought since his UFC 299 win over Ion Cutelaba.

    Ahead of the MVP MMA card, MMANews’ Thomas Albano and Pranav Pandey shared their thoughts on the event.

    What do you think this Saturday’s MVP MMA event needs to do to be considered a success?

    Thomas Albano: When I heard Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano was going to happen under the MVP banner on Netflix, my head was scratching. Then they added Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou to the card, and I wondered if this was going to be a one-and-done gimmick show. Then the other names came in, and I’ve seen the pre-event hype behind this card. And I can honestly say I’m super pumped to tune in to MVP’s first MMA card on May 16.

    I think for this card to be a true success, MVP has to remember the mission of being an alternative product. Is there going to be Netflix crossover? Of course. That happens with a lot of Netflix products and broadcasts. Does having two people who haven’t fought in MMA in 10+ years each sound concerning? It can be.

    But ultimately, it just comes down to the fights delivering. Strong performances and fun fights up and down the card, even if not every fight is a home run, and highlight finishes will gain more traction. The better this card does, the stronger of a start for MVP MMA. And that can mean upward trajectory for future events.

    Pranav Prandy:  I think MVP has been pretty smart in how they’ve built this card. Stacking the main card with recognizable names who’ve already made a mark in the UFC almost guarantees attention. There’s a built-in audience there, and with the event streaming on Netflix, the reach alone could push it into “success” territory purely on numbers.

    That said, I’m not entirely convinced the fight week buzz will match that scale. The pre-fight press conference turnout might not be anything special, which could hint at a softer on-ground presence. But in today’s landscape, that doesn’t necessarily matter as much as digital traction, and I do expect this event to pull solid viewership on Saturday night.

    As for what MVP needs to do to be considered a success, in my opinion, most of the heavy lifting is already done. The promotion has been adequate, the names are there, and the platform is massive. Now it really comes down to delivering entertaining fights. If the action lives up to expectations, this event won’t just be a success, it might even force the UFC to pay attention a little more closely.

    Do you think Rousey vs. Carano will be a hit or a flop?

    Thomas Albano: If we were living in the early 2010s right now, this would be an all-time barnburner for women’s MMA. Carano is a pioneer of this sport for its female athletes. Rousey, meanwhile, built a legacy for herself with each fight, and she is one fighter who helped bring the UFC more and more mainstream in the previously mentioned decade.

    But time has not done this matchup any favors. It’s unique, it’s nostalgic, but that’s all. It’s been a decade since Amanda Nunes obliterated Rousey. It’s been longer since Carano ran into Cris Cyborg. The two have name value and star power, especially Rousey, but we shouldn’t expect a war in the cage.

    This fight, along with the other names of this card, will certainly bring eyeballs to the point where the event is a hit. The competitiveness and quality of the fight, however? Probably a different story.

    Pranav Prandy: I’m not entirely sure this is the fight fans were really asking for, especially when you consider the combined hiatus of both fighters, which is well over two decades. Personally, I’m not that excited for it from a competitive standpoint.

    Rousey’s name still carries serious weight, no doubt about that. In fact, this fight could serve as a reality check to see whether she still commands the same level of star power she had during her UFC run. With Carano, I think her presence adds more to the overall spectacle and glamour of the event, which isn’t a bad thing, but it does shift the focus slightly away from pure competition.

    When it comes to the actual fight, I don’t expect a high-level MMA showcase. The ring rust is likely to be quite evident on both sides. If they end up delivering an entertaining scrap, then full credit to them, but I’m not counting on it.

    So in terms of name value and mainstream attention, I think it will be a hit. But if we’re judging it strictly as a competitive MMA contest, I don’t see it being particularly engaging.

    What is the fight you are most looking forward to?

    Thomas Albano: I don’t want to discredit the rest of the MVP MMA card. I, for one, actually am looking forward to a Francis Ngannou return. And I want to see the prospective talents that MVP MMA has signed, because the promotion needs talent of the future to be the kind of alternative product it wants to be.

    But, come on, there’s only one choice for the people’s main event: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry.

    Of the three major fights on this main card, which have taken a lot of the hype, this is the one I’m most uncertain about. Diaz is always fun to watch, and he’s not going to be afraid to go to war against “Platinum” Perry.

    He and Perry will probably have some of those fun exchanges; however, Perry’s aggressiveness and his striking, which he’s developed with the BKFC, might cause a problem and risk opening up a cut on Diaz. Diaz is definitely the better grappler, and getting Perry to the ground should be a mission for him.

    However long it lasts, I hope this ends up being the best fight of the night.

    Pranav Prandy: For me, it has to be Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry. Both guys are pure entertainment and have built their reputations on bringing chaos every time they step in to compete. It’s always a pleasure watching Diaz fight. There’s a certain unpredictability and toughness he brings that never really fades. On the other side, Perry is coming in with serious momentum, especially off his success in BKFC, and that makes this matchup even more intriguing.

    I do think Perry is going to pose some real problems with his aggression and current form. But at the same time, Diaz is not someone who goes away quietly. He thrives in those gritty, drawn-out battles. This one just feels like it has all the ingredients to steal the show.

    What name outside of the big 3 fights should people look out for?

    Thomas Albano: The obvious answer is going to be Salahdine Parnasse, given how he’s on the main card and how he fared for himself in KSW, becoming a two-division champion.

    Parnasse has the opportunity to be that kind of future talent MVP needs beyond established names. He’s 28 years old and comes into this bout with a 22-2 record, one of the top names outside the UFC. He’s been a featherweight and lightweight champion in KSW, and he once challenged for the welterweight title.

    For variety’s sake, I’ll also throw in Jason Jackson and Aline Pereira. If you never watched Bellator or PFL, or The Ultimate Fighter season 21, you’ll enjoy Jackson’s abilities in the cage. You know you have a solid card when a former Bellator champion is on the prelims. Pereira, meanwhile, is the sister of Alex Pereira. If she can deliver a knockout, she’ll definitely have some eyes on her in MVP.

    Pranav Prandy: One name I’m definitely keeping an eye on is Salahdine Parnasse. He’s already built a serious reputation in KSW as a two-division champion, and this feels like a big moment for him to introduce himself to a wider audience.

    What makes his story even more interesting is that the UFC has been interested in him for quite some time, but he’s turned those opportunities down, largely due to financial reasons. That’s not something you see often, and it says a lot about the position he’s built for himself in the European scene.

    He’s already a proven draw over there, but this card gives him a real chance to break into the U.S. market in a meaningful way. If he can deliver a standout performance against Kenny Cross, it could shift the conversation around him entirely.

    Does the UFC attempt to steal momentum with a Conor McGregor announcement on Saturday night?

    Thomas Albano: I’d be more surprised if there wasn’t an announcement. Ariel Helwani mentioned last week that he expected an announcement at UFC 328, but that event came and went with just an update from Dana White that things were looking good for McGregor’s return.

    But here’s the thing: If you really think about it, it makes more sense strategically for the UFC to do something like that this week. It’s a way for them to try to drag attention away from MVP. And this theory might have some legs now that the New York Post has reported on details being finalized for McGregor vs. Holloway.

    When McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fell through a couple of years ago, did you think it was just coincidental that the UFC’s confirmation — and announcement of UFC 303’s replacement main event — came on a Thursday night during a PFL card?

    I fully expect an announcement of McGregor’s UFC return on May 16, especially with the UFC’s International Fight Week two months away. Will the fight actually happen? Who knows. But if things are just about ready, I totally see this happening.

    That said, I don’t think it does too much damage to the traction MVP would get anyway.

    Pranav Prandy: There’s definitely some noise around a potential Conor McGregor return, possibly at UFC 329 in July, and even Ariel Helwani has hinted that an announcement could come as soon as this weekend.

    If that happens, it would clearly be a calculated move by Dana White and the UFC to grab headlines and shift some of the spotlight away from the MVP MMA card. Given the ongoing friction between White and Jake Paul, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if they chose this moment to make a statement.

    From a strategic standpoint, it makes perfect sense. If you have your biggest star ready to be announced, this is exactly the kind of moment you use to remind everyone who still dominates the space.

    That said, I don’t think it would drastically impact either promotion in the long run. Both sides are likely to generate their own traction regardless. An announcement might steal a few headlines for a day, but it won’t really take anything away from MVP, and it certainly won’t hurt the UFC either.

    Will MVP MMA be a one-and-done? Or will there be more?

    Thomas Albano: I know Jake Paul is not the most popular person in the combat sports space. I know that to this day, there are people who hate him because he doesn’t fall into the tradition of boxing. I know that his personality can be one that turns people off.

    But here’s the thing: If you’re someone who wants to see an alternate product, you have to root for MVP and hope it succeeds. More promotions mean more choice for fans and fighters. Disrupting the UFC’s tight grasp on the combat sports world is a lot easier said than done. However, if that were to happen, it’d have quite the effect on the MMA economy.

    With MVP’s commitment to try and do such a thing, it seems clear there will be more events beyond this first one. Two things are going to be needed, however. Firstly, while they loaded this card with names, they still need to save star power to headline future cards. That’s going to be needed while they build their own stars.

    That’s the second thing — they need their own homegrown talents that people will tune in to MVP for, regardless of where they’re on the card and who is headlining. Homegrown talents will help to further a strong identity for MVP MMA, and it will do more for showing fighters they have a choice in where they want to take their career and make money.

    Pranav Prandy: This is the one I’m least certain about. It’s clear that MVP, along with Jake Paul, is aiming to disrupt the UFC’s long-standing grip on the global MMA market. With Netflix backing them, the potential reach is massive, which suggests they’re at least thinking beyond just a single event.

    But sustaining that kind of momentum is a different challenge altogether. To keep this going, they’ll need to consistently bring in big names who can headline and draw attention. That’s not easy in a space where the UFC still holds most of the elite roster.

    In a perfect world, something like Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou would be the kind of blockbuster fight that changes everything. Realistically, though, that feels a bit out of reach for now.

    I think it ultimately comes down to how this weekend performs. The response they get, both in terms of viewership and overall buzz, will play a huge role in deciding whether this becomes a long-term venture or just a one-off experiment.

  • Nate Diaz Just Went Viral For What He Said About Ilia Topuria And It Did Not Hold Back

    Nate Diaz Just Went Viral For What He Said About Ilia Topuria And It Did Not Hold Back

    Nate Diaz unloaded on Ilia Topuria during an interview with Ariel Helwani, calling the UFC lightweight champion a “dumbass” and mocking his height in a viral clip.

    Diaz, who returns to MMA on Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 undercard against Mike Perry, made clear he has no respect for the undefeated champion.

    “He’s a little B——, too. I’m years ahead of them fools. I’ve got better fights, and they’re like, ‘He sucks!’ He just said I suck. Bro, you suck!”

    Diaz cited Topuria’s comments about Jake Paul as the origin of his frustration before escalating.

    “He was saying some dumb s— about how he’d beat up Jake Paul in boxing. All cool about how he sucked and s—, and I was taking offense. You won’t do s—. I’ll beat the — out of Ilia Topuria. This fool’s a dumbass just because of how he was talking all cocky and s—. You don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re —ing four feet tall.”

    “Bro, I’ll slap the s— out of you. What the f— are you talking about? It’s a new day and age where there’s a bunch of little b—-es running around that need to be slapped. Yeah, I don’t like him.”

    Diaz last competed in MMA in September 2022, submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Following Saturday’s fight with Perry, he becomes a free agent and has been linked to potential returns against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Topuria himself.

  • Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Gets Elite Referee Crew For Top 3 Fights

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Gets Elite Referee Crew For Top 3 Fights

    Referee assignments have been finalized for the biggest fights on this weekend’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card, with several veteran officials set to oversee the action.

    The event takes place on Saturday, May 16, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and streams live on Netflix. Headlining the card, Ronda Rousey faces Gina Carano in a historic featherweight bout marking both fighters’ long-awaited return to MMA.

    For the main event, legendary referee John McCarthy has been assigned to officiate the clash. Widely regarded as one of the most experienced officials in the sport, his involvement adds further weight to the high-profile matchup.

    In the co-main event, Nate Diaz squares off against Mike Perry, with Mike Beltran set to handle officiating duties. The bout brings together two of the sport’s most unpredictable personalities, both known for their durability and fan-friendly styles, making it one of the most anticipated fights on the card.

    Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou returns to MMA against Philipe Lins, with Herb Dean assigned to referee the contest. It marks Ngannou’s continued comeback following a difficult stretch that included a move into boxing and personal adversity outside the cage.

  • Nate Diaz Calls Out Charles Oliveira for Turning Down His Fight Request While Chasing McGregor Instead

    Nate Diaz has a specific grievance with Charles Oliveira heading into his MVP MMA 1 fight with Mike Perry on Saturday, and it centers on a fight request that was shut down before being replaced by a callout that Diaz cannot understand.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting, Diaz explained that he had made a respectful approach about fighting Oliveira after the Brazilian won the BMF title by defeating Max Holloway, only to be turned down before watching Oliveira pivot to calling out Conor McGregor.

    “Oliveira got the belt and I was waiting for shit to happen. Oliveira’s the man. I’ve been around longer than Oliveira. Everybody thinks that he’ll kill me but I’m like yeah right. I always wondered why me and Oliveira never fought. So when he finally got the belt and was around, I was like oh sht, I’ll fight f**ing Oliveira. So I said what’s up with Oliveira? Respectfully, I’d like to fight Oliveira. He’s been around and he said ‘no, thanks homie.’ ‘I’m trying to fight for titles and do all this big sh*t’ and I’m like OK, you got me on that.”

    The McGregor callout changed Diaz’s assessment entirely.

    “And then he won fing one fight and then he called out Conor. That’s exactly what I thought when he called out Conor. Why are you trying to fight the guy who’s coming off a leg break, just got knocked out and he’s all fed up and on a downward spiral and you’re over here like ‘no thanks, homie, I’m trying to do bigger things.’”

    Diaz made clear that Oliveira’s logic does not hold up under scrutiny.

    “I was like picking on a guy that just got his ass whooped the whole time, motherfer? You’re full of sht. You think you’re fing tight and that’s why I had something to say about Oliveira. I don’t have nothing against him except for that. No thanks, homie, I’m onto bigger, better things. Like what? Picking on a guy who just got his ass whooped the whole time? That’s whack. Those are the motherf**ers that I’m trying to fight. I’m fighting the bullies.”

  • Nate Diaz Blasts Dustin Poirier Over Future Fight Talk

    Nate Diaz Blasts Dustin Poirier Over Future Fight Talk

    Nate Diaz has responded to Dustin Poirier’s suggestion that he would come out of retirement to fight him, and his answer was not an invitation.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Diaz addressed Poirier’s stated willingness to return for a matchup and delivered a blunt assessment of the retired fighter’s credibility as a potential opponent.

    “I am interested if he f***ing gets in there and starts fighting people. I don’t fight retired fighters. He jumped ship a little early, so it’s not someone that I’m that interested in. Get back in the game and start squabbling with people. Where the hell did you go? ‘I’ll come back for you now.’ No, don’t come back on account of me. Get some sleep. Get you some sleep.”

    Diaz then described the manner of Poirier’s retirement as the core of his problem with the situation.

    “He got emotional when he fought somebody, and he’s like, ‘I’m retired. Oh, this was so great.’ A whole fing little lady moment where he needed to talk about his feelings and how he was all done with all this. And then he went, ‘Oh, what the fk did I do?’ Yeah, you were being a btch in your post-fight interview, and you set your gloves down and you shed a tear, and then two weeks later he’s like, ‘I want to fight Nate, I’ll come back for Nate.’ Like, you didn’t even leave, stupid. You f**ing pssed out. Don’t involve me in that sht. Get back in the game and start squabbling.”

    Poirier retired following his loss to Max Holloway in Louisiana last year and had previously said on the Deep Waters podcast that a Diaz fight was one he would genuinely come back for given the unfinished business between them. Diaz and Poirier were booked to fight at UFC 230 in November 2018 before Poirier’s hip injury forced the cancellation.

    Diaz faces Mike Perry in the co-main event of MVP MMA 1 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Saturday, streaming live on Netflix.

  • Nate Diaz Calls Out Chimaev and Strickland for Fake Beef

    Nate Diaz watched the Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland rivalry play out for weeks, saw the post-fight hugs, and came away with one clear conclusion: he wants no part of that approach with Mike Perry.

    Speaking during a Face 2 Face sitdown with Perry ahead of their MVP MMA 1 matchup on Saturday, Diaz was direct about what bothered him when he caught the UFC 328 highlights.

    “They were faking the funk. And they were fing acting like crazy and talking all this sh*t to each other and then hugging and showing love the whole fight like some btches. Fake fing puppets. I’m f**ing cool off that sh*t.”

    He elaborated on what specifically felt like a betrayal once the post-fight goodwill emerged.

    “I saw highlights of them hugging and fing shaking hands right off the bat, and the whole time, it’s fing like you bullshtted me. I didn’t bullsht nobody. I keep it real all the way through. That’s what I got out of that fight. I didn’t watch it, but I saw the highlights and the feedback on it, and I saw the war that was f**ing bullshtted to us. I’m like, you don’t gotta bullsh*t me.”

    You can watch the original clip on X here.

    Diaz’s position is not that fighters should not show respect after competing. His objection is the gap between weeks of selling genuine hatred and the immediate goodwill that followed once the final bell sounded. He wants his build with Perry to reflect what the fight actually is rather than manufacturing a narrative around it.

    “I got a fight with this dude, he’s the most violent motherfer. He knocked out fing middleweight Luke Rockhold, and f**ing Jeremy Stephens, and beat a lot of good people, doing boss sh*t on the outside.”

    He was equally clear about the nature of his relationship with Perry going into the fight.

    “I was already OK with him. We’re not fing friends or anything like that, but I’m not gonna fing play around and make no fake, artificial beef with you. I think you’re great. I think what you’re doing is great. I think you’re violent as f**k, and mean and all that sh*t. I came here to fight, train hard, win and fk your sh*t up, just like I know you’re planning on f**jing my sht up, and I’m not gonna put no artificial beef out there.”

    Diaz and Perry meet on the MVP MMA 1 card on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix. Diaz had a long-standing scheduling history with Chimaev as well, having been booked against him at UFC 279 before the card was reshuffled, with Diaz instead submitting Tony Ferguson in his final UFC appearance.

  • Nate Diaz Reveals Interest in Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz Reveals Interest in Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz has made it clear that his rivalry with Conor McGregor is unfinished business, and he has a very specific vision of how the third chapter should come together.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of his MVP MMA 1 fight with Mike Perry on Saturday, Diaz addressed the prospect of a McGregor trilogy fight directly and confirmed it remains very much on his radar, though he has no interest in being the opponent that serves as McGregor’s comeback vehicle.

    “F**k no I’m not done with Conor McGregor, that’s just waiting to happen. What I’m saying, I’m a real fighter. Conor McGregor, he’s fing still good, he’s still great. He’s f**king everything he says he is and what UFC says and all that. But I’m not going to let him fing test that out on me. I’m not trying to be part of this fing Conor McGregor comeback motherf*king story.”

    Diaz wants McGregor to prove himself again before they settle the trilogy, framing the dynamic in the language he is most comfortable with.

    “I don’t want to finish him off. Why don’t you come back and do your thing and when you’re doing your thing and I’m doing my thing then we’ll have our fing trilogy that you owe me from a long time ago anyway. I think about it like a fing bully. What are you going to do? Go fight the guy who got his leg broke off? Nah, let him make his comeback and do his thing and then go beat his ass.”

    Diaz and McGregor split their two-fight series one win apiece in 2016, with McGregor winning the rematch at UFC 202. A third fight has been discussed at various points over the following decade without ever materializing. McGregor is currently expected to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week, which would be his first competitive appearance since his leg fracture at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Diaz returns to MMA competition on Saturday for the first time since 2022, facing Perry in the co-main event of MVP MMA 1 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix.

  • Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown does not believe Nate Diaz’s explanation for turning down a UFC fight with Conor McGregor, and he laid out exactly why on The Fighter vs. The Writer.

    Diaz recently claimed he rejected a more lucrative offer from the UFC for a McGregor trilogy because he did not want to face the Irishman on what he described as his “last dying f***ing leg” after five years away from competition. Brown is skeptical, arguing that Diaz’s career history tells a different story about his decision-making.

    “Money talks,” Brown said. “He’s making more money with this Netflix fight than he would with the UFC. That’s why he’s not fighting Conor in the UFC. I lean towards believing Dana on this. He got an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

    Brown reinforced the point by noting that Diaz has always prioritized the biggest payday available. “I don’t believe it for a second that he’s not making more money with this Netflix deal, however that plays out, his bank account ends up with more money from this fight than it does in the UFC or he doesn’t take the fight. He’s going to pick the highest bidder. I don’t think that’s unique to him, but I think he understands this is prize fighting. He’s fighting for money. He’s going to take the highest pay.”

    Diaz is instead fighting Mike Perry on May 16 on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card under Most Valuable Promotions. Perry left the UFC on a 1-4 skid before becoming a star in bare-knuckle fighting.

    Brown acknowledged that, on paper, the McGregor fight carries far more cultural weight. “Whereas Conor, dude you already beat him twice, you know what to do. It’s a way, way bigger fight. Whether the viewership numbers reflect that or not, the actual fight and the media, the attention, the fight fans that care, even mainstream, Diaz and Conor is probably the biggest fight the UFC could even make right now.”

    He also suggested the UFC’s offer likely came with conditions such as a multi-fight deal, which may have made the single-fight MVP arrangement more attractive to Diaz, regardless of the headline number. The door for a future UFC return remains open, but Brown is firm that money drove the decision.

  • UFC Veteran Who Knocked Out Nate Diaz Fires Back After Rematch Snub – ‘You Ain’t Gangsters’

    UFC Veteran Who Knocked Out Nate Diaz Fires Back After Rematch Snub – ‘You Ain’t Gangsters’

    As Nate Diaz prepares for his return on May 16, it’s clear he had several directions he could have gone.

    In the end, the Stockton native chose a showdown with Mike Perry under the Most Valuable Promotions banner, leaving other potential opponents behind. Among those who didn’t make the cut was former rival Josh Thomson, who later spoke out about the missed opportunity.

    Josh Thomson Claims Nate Diaz Turned Down Rematch Opportunity

    During a recent episode of his WEIGHING IN podcast, Josh Thomson didn’t hold back while responding to recent comments from Nate Diaz, who mocked him during an appearance on Theo Von’s podcast for pushing for a rematch, suggesting that both Diaz and his teammate Chris Avila declined opportunities to face him.

    “I guess the concern from you, Nate, was that you wanted me to fight somebody else because I had been inactive for a while,” Thomson said. “I was like, ‘Alright, cool. I’ll take it. Who do you have in mind?’

    “Now you’re turning down a fight with me and saying you want an easier fight than me?” Thomson said. “All that west coast gangster sh*t and you guys are over here saying no, you don’t want to fight a 47-year-old who hasn’t fought in seven years. I was laughing. You ain’t gangsters, dude.”

    “The Punk” also revealed that a potential path to the rematch involved him first fighting Avila, which could have led to a second clash with Diaz. However, those plans never came together, and Avila was ultimately booked to fight Brandon Jenkins.

    The tension between the two UFC veterans dates back to their meeting in April 2013. On that night, Thomson became the first man to stop Diaz, landing a head kick that led to a second-round TKO finish.

  • Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Rematch Eyed for Netflix

    Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Rematch Eyed for Netflix

    Jake Paul and Nate Diaz could headline a future Most Valuable Promotions MMA event on Netflix, according to MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. The potential rematch would take place inside the cage after Paul defeated Diaz via unanimous decision in their 2023 boxing match.

    Bidarian addressed the possibility during a recent interview with MMA media, confirming that both fighters remain interested in the matchup. The bout could land on Netflix following the streaming platform’s debut MMA show headlined by Ronda Rousey’s comeback fight against Gina Carano.

    “It’s kind of funny, Nate Diaz called Jake out for MMA,” Bidarian said. “I know that Jake is going to come out and say ‘listen, beat Mike Perry and we can run it in MVP MMA, so we’ll see how that develops.”

    Netflix Expanding MMA Presence After Boxing Success

    Netflix has already broadcast multiple combat sports events through MVP, beginning with Paul vs Mike Tyson in November 2024. That event drew an estimated 125 million viewers and was followed by Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano 3 and Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford.

    Bidarian believes the Rousey vs Carano card represents the first of many potential MMA events on the platform. He compared the trajectory to Netflix’s approach to boxing, starting with spectacle fights before expanding into more regular programming.

    “I think similar to Paul-Tyson this is our first event with Netflix in MMA,” Bidarian explained. “I am confident the event will do well, depending on how well it does I’m also very confident we will do more MVP MMA events with Netflix and potentially others.”

    Previous Negotiations Fell Through With PFL

    Paul and Diaz have discussed an MMA fight for years, with the Professional Fighters League previously attempting to make the bout happen. Those negotiations ultimately collapsed over financial terms.

    “If you recall, Jake talked about doing MMA against Nate Diaz for a long time in PFL,” Bidarian continued. “The numbers just couldn’t work for Nate Diaz in terms of what he wanted and what PFL wanted to do. Maybe things change.”

    Diaz was also considered as a potential replacement opponent for Paul’s Netflix boxing match against Anthony Joshua last year after Gervonta Davis withdrew due to legal issues. That rematch never materialized, but the MMA version appears to have gained momentum.

    Bidarian noted that the MMA landscape remains wide open for competition outside the UFC, creating opportunities for MVP to establish itself in the space. Diaz is scheduled to face Mike Perry on the upcoming Netflix card, with Paul suggesting that victory could set up their cage rematch.

  • Brendan Schaub Blasts Nate Diaz For Targeting Daniel Cormier – ‘Every Guy He Talks About Is Better’

    Brendan Schaub Blasts Nate Diaz For Targeting Daniel Cormier – ‘Every Guy He Talks About Is Better’

    Brendan Schaub has weighed in strongly on the ongoing back-and-forth between Nate Diaz and Daniel Cormier, and he’s made it clear where he stands.

    The recent feud kicked off after Diaz took aim at analysts, singling out Cormier, who responded by calling him “average.” That exchange quickly gained traction, but Schaub believes “The Stockton Slugger” picked the wrong target this time.

    Brendan Schaub Says Nate Diaz Crossed The Line Going At Daniel Cormier

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Schaub didn’t hold back while defending the UFC Hall of Famer’s legacy and credentials.

    “I think for some people it works. Like, some people are like, ‘F*ck yeah, man, f*ck those guys.’ It’s his thing, and it’s working; he’s making money, so I don’t hate on him for any of that,” Schaub said. “The issue is these guys that he’s talking sh*t about are, if you know anything about the sport of mixed martial arts, every guy he talks shit about is a better fighter and has a better career. So that’s why he’s going for those guys. He’s just barking up the wrong tree when he talks sh*t to Daniel Cormier. You’re talking about MMA royalty.”

    The former UFC heavyweight fighter’s core argument centered around the difference between popularity and accomplishment. While Diaz has built a massive fanbase and delivered some of the sport’s most memorable moments, “Big Brown” insists that doesn’t automatically translate into all-time greatness.

    “So, Nate Diaz had a good career. Just so you’re aware, he will never make it to the Hall of Fame as an individual fighter,” Schaub said. “Now, maybe his fight against one of his previous opponents, maybe Conor McGregor, he might have a fight to make the Hall of Fame, but as far as him as individual accomplishments, he won’t make the UFC Hall of Fame. That’s just not real. That will never happen.”

    Schaub doubled down on the idea that the former UFC lightweight title challenger’s status comes more from star power than résumé, especially when compared to someone like “DC”, a former two-division champion who transitioned into one of the UFC’s leading analysts.

    The MMA fighter turned stand-up comedian also suggested Diaz may be taking analyst criticism too personally, rather than recognizing it as part of the job.

    “For him, he’s like, ‘Yo, these analysts breaking down fights, I don’t get it. F*ck these guys,’” Schaub explained. “Yeah, but they’re not criticizing you. It’s literally their job they’re getting paid for, so I think he takes it personal.”

  • Charles Oliveira Responds to Nate Diaz Callout

    Charles Oliveira Responds to Nate Diaz Callout

    Charles Oliveira has responded to Nate Diaz’s recent callout, but the veteran fighter remains focused on his primary goal of regaining the UFC lightweight championship. Oliveira, who has competed 37 times in the UFC, addressed Diaz’s comments while discussing his future plans.

    Diaz recently stated in an interview with Theo Von that he would “beat the fucking shit out of Charles Oliveira.” The comments came after Oliveira’s recent performances in the lightweight division.

    “I told [my coach/manager] Diego [Lima] that this is the moment for us to think carefully about what’s going to happen,” Oliveira told Canal Encarada. “Would a fight with Nate be good? Of course, definitely. Given everything he’s been saying — he’s a guy who sells a lot, someone who would help us make money, it would be a big fight and a lot of people would want to see it.”

    McGregor Return Speculation

    Oliveira also addressed the possibility of facing Conor McGregor, who has been away from the octagon for almost five years. The Brazilian fighter expressed renewed confidence that McGregor could actually return this time.

    “We’ve heard so many times that Conor is coming back and nothing happens,” Oliveira said. “But one of the reasons I believe he might return this time is that Dana usually wouldn’t say anything, and this time he has spoken. So I do believe he could come back to fight at [International] Fight Week.”

    Backup Fighter Role

    Oliveira revealed interest in serving as backup fighter for the lightweight title bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. However, he outlined specific conditions for accepting that role.

    “Do Bronx” said he would need a guarantee that Topuria, if victorious, would defend the lightweight title instead of moving to welterweight. In a scenario where Topuria wins and leaves the division, the UFC could ask Oliveira to fight in July or August for the vacant belt, forcing him into another camp on shorter notice.

    “I’m going after the title,” Oliveira said. “I want to become champion again, but I think nobody is naive, everyone is doing the math. The belt will be unified in June. I could be a backup for the fight. But I stay focused on training, make weight, and when I get there, there’s no fight [for me].”

  • UFC Commentator Defends Nate Diaz Rejecting Conor McGregor Fight: ‘Not About The Paycheck’

    UFC commentator Jon Anik has backed Nate Diaz’s decision to turn down a trilogy fight against Conor McGregor.

    Diaz recently revealed he turned down a UFC offer to return this year for a fight against the Irishman. The 40-year-old explained he still believes he can compete against the best fighters in the world and requested a bout with Charles Oliveira instead.

    Jon Anik Calls Diaz’s Stance ‘Refreshing’

    Speaking on Submission Radio, Anik praised the fighter for prioritizing competitive merit over financial gain.

    “I think it’s the biggest fight and it makes a lot of sense,” Anik said. “That’s not the fight that he was looking for and I think that’s a little bit refreshing if I could take that side of it, to hear Nate say that he wants something that maybe competitively for him is more juicy, that he’s not necessarily there for the pageantry or the biggest possible pay check.”

    Conor McGregor Trilogy Replaced by Max Holloway Bout

    With the Stockton native out of the picture, Max Holloway has emerged as the frontrunner to face McGregor in his targeted comeback. Holloway recently lost his BMF title at UFC 326.

    The promotion is reportedly targeting UFC 329 during International Fight Week for McGregor’s return. The former ESPN anchor expressed enthusiasm for both potential matchups involving “The Notorious.”

    “It may be a little inside baseball of me to think of that Max Holloway fight in the terms that I do but I would really like to see that.

    “The Charles Oliveira fight makes a lot of sense as well and as I’m commentating the BMF title fight with Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, the whole time, (Joe) Rogan and I are thinking, wow, not man, this is boring.

    “To me, Charles and Conor for the BMF belt makes a lot of sense, Holloway makes a lot of sense.”

    Despite signing with MVP MMA for his next fight, Diaz’s decision likely doesn’t rule out a potential future return to the UFC for a McGregor trilogy down the line.

    Nate Diaz is set to face Mike Perry on the MVP MMA Netflix card scheduled for May 16th.

  • Daniel Cormier Fires Back at Nate Diaz: ‘You’re Average’

    Daniel Cormier Fires Back at Nate Diaz: ‘You’re Average’

    Daniel Cormier delivered a scathing response to recent criticism from Nate Diaz, directly comparing their fighting careers and calling the former UFC lightweight title challenger “average.” The former two-division UFC champion addressed Diaz’s comments in a YouTube video after the 40-year-old criticized MMA analysts during an appearance on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast.

    Diaz had specifically targeted Cormier among other analysts during the podcast appearance, which also saw him discuss turning down a UFC return and criticizing several fighters, including Von’s friend Dustin Poirier. The comments prompted Cormier to break his previous stance of not comparing their careers.

    Cormier Counts Diaz’s Losses in Heated Response

    The former UFC champion addressed Diaz’s 20-13 MMA record in his video response, contrasting it with his own championship pedigree. Cormier, who held titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight, emphasized the stark difference in their career trajectories.

    “It’s hard for me to fathom losing to 13 people in the sport that you chose and when I lost those fights, I was in my mid to late 30s and two dudes were able to get me,” Cormier said. “You lost to 13 people, you were losing fights in your 20s. You were in your absolute athletic prime in a sport that you chose and you got beat multiple times by all these people. That to me is crazy.”

    Cormier suggested there is an “ocean” between what they’ve achieved in their respective careers, despite Diaz’s financial success in recent years.

    Former Champion Questions Diaz’s Legacy

    The retired champion argued that Diaz’s stock only climbed significantly after his fight with Conor McGregor, calling into question the foundation of his popularity. Cormier made clear he wasn’t interested in comparing bank accounts between two wealthy fighters, but rather their accomplishments inside the cage.

    “Somebody got to check him,” Cormier continued. “At this point, he might need a handler because guess what? There’s a chance he goes and gets beat by Mike Perry. I was there when they had to throw the towel in for Josh Thomson. Reality is you’re average. You’ve always been. But, you’ve made a lot of money, that’s good. But, you’re average.”

    Cormier clarified multiple times during his response that he doesn’t dislike Diaz personally, but felt compelled to address the criticism after previously choosing not to engage. The former champion referenced Diaz’s 2013 stoppage loss to Josh Thomson as an example of his career struggles.

  • Nate Diaz Rips Into Dustin Poirier Over Pulled Fight

    Nate Diaz Rips Into Dustin Poirier Over Pulled Fight

    Nate Diaz recently unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against Dustin Poirier and Daniel Cormier during an appearance on the This Past Weekend podcast. The former UFC lightweight contender held nothing back in his criticism of both fighters.

    Diaz directed his initial ire toward Poirier, who was scheduled to fight him at UFC 230 in November 2018 before withdrawing due to injury. The Stockton native mocked Poirier’s explanation for missing their bout.

    “He had p*ssy surgery when we were supposed to fight,” Diaz said. “There’s a video of it… Penis being removed. He had penis-removal surgery, so we didn’t get to fight. Let’s make fun of him a little bit. Louisiana-ass, p*ssy boy. He quit his job and then was like, ‘I want to box Nate in a thing.’ I’m like, ‘Why’d you quit too early, stupid?’ He’s emotional.”

    When podcast host Theo Von attempted to defend ‘The Diamond’, Diaz partially walked back his comments.

    “I’m kidding,” Diaz said. “He’s done good. He can’t fight. I’m kidding, I’m just giving you shit.”

    Nate Diaz Goes Off On Daniel Cormier Over Analyst Role

    The Stockton native then shifted his focus to Cormier, expressing frustration with fighters who transition into analyst roles and criticize active competitors. The former two-division UFC champion became a primary target.

    “Then what they do is they go out and give criticism to a fighter like an analyst, I’m like, you were never even a fighter, if that’s what you do,” Diaz said. “You’re a b*tch. And you’re going to f*cking analyze and talk about how fighters are and what they should do? And you know it all? You know it all? Well, what the f*ck happened in your career then? Why are you an analyst now, Mr. Know-It-All?”

    Diaz continued his rant as he questioned why Cormier would criticize other fighters given his own career trajectory.

    “Why are you Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson and the best of the best? Talking negative about what I should do when I made more money than you ever made in your whole career at any fight, Mr. Champion,” he said.

    The criticism appears misguided, considering Cormier won UFC titles at heavyweight and light heavyweight and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing in 2022. Cormier lost only to Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic during his career.

    Financial Success Over Championship Status

    Diaz claimed he witnessed only one Cormier fight in person, referencing what appears to be the first Miocic bout at UFC 241.

    “I’ve never seen a single DC fight in my career except for when I was on the same card as him one time and he was picking up the dude and walking around like he was just owned him like he was hella tight, like damn he’s schooling that dude,” Diaz said. “Then I looked back at the screen and he was knocked out on his ass.”

    He then questioned whether Cormier’s criticism stems from financial jealousy.

    “Are you mad because you were the champion and like when I was nowhere near champion I got paid way more money than you? That’s a f*cking bitter little b*tch who’s analyzing fights,” Diaz said.

    Diaz also referenced Cormier’s emotional response following his knockout loss to Jones at UFC 214, a result later overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for banned substances.

    “You’re a great wrestler, DC, but you can’t fight for shit,” Diaz said. “You win fights, but you’re a f*cking big old p*ssy. Remember he cried? He got knocked out by Jon and he cried.”

    Despite the harsh words, Diaz’s comments appeared at least partially tongue-in-cheek. He acknowledged that his targets benefit from the attention.

    “I’m just saying they’re putting themselves in a position to be roasted,” Diaz said. “The bad part about it is they get the favor of me talking and roasting on them and that’s what they wanted me to do. So I take it back, DC, you’re cool. You’re the man.”

    Diaz is set to face former UFC fighter Mike Perry on May 16th on a Most Valuable Promotions card.

  • Nate Diaz Turned Down Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to complete a trilogy with Conor McGregor, revealing he had no interest in facing the former UFC champion for a third time. The Stockton native made it clear he saw no benefit in another matchup.

    During an appearance on “This Past Weekend,” Diaz explained why he didn’t want to lock horns with McGregor at this stage in their lives:

    “I want to fight the best of the best when they are the best of the best. Conor’s great, but I’m not trying to go kill off Conor when he’s on his last dying f*cking leg, literally. That’s f*cked up. I’m not trying to be the ending to some f*cker’s story like that. We ain’t friends, we ain’t none of that, but I ain’t trying to finish this dude off. That’s what I plan on doing if we’re fighting. At the same time, I ain’t trying to get f*cked up by nobody who just got knocked out on his ass and broke his leg, this guy’s down and out, now he’s nothing but motivated to fight me because who else are you going to fight in there? They’re probably going to give him a f*cking BMF belt, f*cking bitch-ass Oliveira, who I believe I’ll beat the f*cking shit out of.”

    Diaz-McGregor History

    The rivalry between Diaz and McGregor produced two of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view events. Diaz submitted McGregor at UFC 196 in March 2016, handing the Irish star his first UFC loss.

    McGregor won the rematch five months later at UFC 202 via majority decision. A trilogy fight has been discussed for years but never materialized while both fighters were under UFC contract.

    No Interest in Third Fight

    Diaz’s comments indicate he viewed a trilogy as unnecessary. With the series split at one win apiece, the fighter apparently felt no need to settle the score definitively.

    Both fighters have since moved on to other ventures. McGregor has been sidelined with injuries and business pursuits, while Diaz departed the UFC in 2022 to pursue boxing and other combat sports opportunities.

  • Joe Rogan Claims Nate Diaz Earning Over $10M For Netflix MMA Return Against Mike Perry — ‘More Than That’

    Joe Rogan Claims Nate Diaz Earning Over $10M For Netflix MMA Return Against Mike Perry — ‘More Than That’

    Joe Rogan believes Nate Diaz is probably in line for one of the most lucrative purses of his career in his next outing.

    After nearly four years away from MMA, Diaz is gearing up for his return, where he’s slated to face fellow UFC welterweight veteran Mike Perry on the undercard of Netflix’s inaugural live MMA event.

    The card is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will be headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

    The 40-year-old Californian had been heavily linked to an Octagon return at the landmark UFC Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House, a plan Dana White had also confirmed.

    However, the UFC CEO later revealed at the UFC London press conference that Diaz was presented with an offer from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions that he “couldn’t refuse,” ultimately opting for that opportunity.

    Rogan appears to have some insight into “The Stockton Slugger’s” deal and expects it to be a massive one.

    During a JRE Fight Companion episode for UFC London, the veteran broadcaster weighed in on Nate Diaz’s reported deal to face Perry, suggesting that, from what he knows, the former UFC star is likely set for an eight-figure payday, potentially exceeding $10 million.

    “I heard it was more [than $10million],” Rogan said. “That’s wild. But I tell you what, I think he could have made that same money fighting Conor [McGregor]… If Nate gets through this fight and they set that fight up – it’s that or [Michael] Chandler.”

    Diaz was last in action in July 2024, when he faced former rival Jorge Masvidal in a boxing rematch, securing a majority decision victory to bounce back from his loss to Paul in August 2023.

    The former UFC title challenger’s last MMA appearance came in September 2022 at UFC 279, where he secured a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson. Diaz currently holds a professional record of 21-13, including a 16-11 run in the UFC.

  • Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry Added to Netflix MMA Debut on May 16

    Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry Added to Netflix MMA Debut on May 16

    Nate Diaz and Mike Perry have officially been added to Netflix’s first-ever live MMA event, set for Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    The two fan favorites join what is already a loaded card, turning the event into a triple-headliner. The show is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in partnership with Netflix and will stream live globally to all Netflix subscribers at no additional cost.

    Full Fight Card

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano (featherweight, 145 lbs, 5×5-minute rounds)
    Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry
    Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins

    Diaz vs. Perry

    The matchup has been a long time coming. Perry called out Diaz for years, and Diaz publicly named Perry as one of his top targets for a return to action earlier this year. The booking delivers a street-fight-style confrontation that figures to be one of the most entertaining bouts on the card.

    Rousey vs. Carano Headlines

    Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano — two pioneers who helped build women’s MMA — finally meet inside the cage. Rousey returns to combat sports after nearly a decade away, while Carano steps back in for the first time in years. The bout will be contested under the Unified Rules of MMA using 4-ounce gloves.

    Ngannou Returns to MMA

    Francis Ngannou faces Brazil’s Philipe Lins in a heavyweight showcase. It marks Ngannou’s highly anticipated return to MMA following his PFL championship victory in 2024, after a two-fight stint in boxing.

    How to Watch

    Netflix’s first live MMA event takes place Saturday, May 16, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event streams live on Netflix and is included with all subscription plans.