MMA News

Tag: Netflix

  • 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.

  • Joe Rogan Warns Netflix Could Become MMA’s First Legit Threat To UFC’s Monopoly

    Joe Rogan Warns Netflix Could Become MMA’s First Legit Threat To UFC’s Monopoly

    Joe Rogan outlined why Netflix represents a fundamentally different kind of competitive threat to the UFC than anything the promotion has faced before.

    During a recent episode of the JRE MMA Show, the longtime UFC commentator hosted Dustin Poirier, and the conversation turned to Netflix’s growing push into live sports. They discussed the platform’s expansion into combat sports, highlighted by major boxing events, and its anticipated move into MMA through a partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, slated for May 16.

    Rogan emphasized that this is not just another promotion trying to compete on the fringes, but a global platform with the financial muscle to potentially reshape the sport’s entire economic landscape. He also pointed to boxing as the model Netflix could replicate: fans follow fighters, not promoters.

    “It’s all about the name of the fighters. Just like boxing — nobody cares if it’s Golden Boy or Bob Arum. What they care about is who’s fighting whom. If Netflix can do the boxing thing with big-name stars, they could be a major player, and that will elevate everybody’s pay scale.”

    The Contract Expiration Window

    Joe Rogan’s most pointed observation was not about the upcoming Netflix MMA card itself, which is expected to feature some of the sport’s most recognizable names, such as Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Francis Ngannou, and Nate Diaz.

    Instead, the renowned podcaster’s focus was on what could follow if the event proves successful. He highlighted the real threat to the UFC’s dominance as the timing of expiring fighter contracts aligning with a well-funded competitor actively looking to sign top talent.

    “If she’s saying this and Netflix listens, and some shrewd businessman goes, ‘A lot of people’s contracts are coming up — when these people’s contracts come up, let’s get into negotiations,’ all of a sudden some people start drifting over.”

    He identified UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev as a potential domino in that scenario, suggesting that a move from a star of his stature could spark a broader shift among elite contenders.

    “If you get an Islam Makhachev who starts leaving and goes to fight on Netflix, and they can talk four or five top major contenders into going, look, it’s a big ask. But if that happens…”

    A Safety Net That Didn’t Exist Before

    Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier offered a fighter’s perspective on what a more competitive landscape would mean in practical terms. For most of his career, being cut from the UFC did not just mean losing a job, it often meant the possible end of a fighter’s career altogether.

    “Ten years ago, they cut you. There’s only one place to make money — they cut you. You’d have to get a job, maybe fight part-time. Now you can pivot and still have a career.”

    “The Diamond” added that he holds no ill will toward the UFC and sees only positives in the current multi-organization landscape.

    “I love the UFC. I spent most of my professional career there. But I love seeing these other organizations come up and people making money. It lifts everything. It creates more opportunities for fighters. It’s only a good thing.”

    Rogan floated an even wilder card at the end of the conversation: YouTube.

    “Hey guys, we’re YouTube. We’re even bigger than Netflix because YouTube is everywhere.”

    The UFC’s own Paramount era only began in January, and already the question of who else might enter the MMA broadcasting market is on the table. Francis Ngannou — who left the UFC over pay disputes — has already positioned himself as a symbol of what fighters can earn outside the organization.

  • Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano To Undergo Extensive Pre-Fight Testing

    Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano To Undergo Extensive Pre-Fight Testing

    The pre-fight medicals that Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will have to go through ahead of their May 16 matchup will be more extensive than the usual for an MMA fighter.

    Per an update from ESPN, Andy Foster — California State Athletic Commission executive director — confirmed that Rousey and Carano will be mandated to go through medical and neurological testing that is more than what is normally required.

    Perhaps the most noteworthy of the additional medical requirements is that the 39-year-old Rousey must go through concussion battery testing.

    “We’re going to put her through neurological and concussion battery testing and make sure she’s OK,” Foster said. “We’re going to have our doctors take a look. The fighters are going to have to do a lot of medicals.”

    In her years away from the Octagon, Rousey has come clean about her history and battles with concussions. The inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion and former Olympic bronze medal judoka admitted that she kept concussion diagnoses hidden from the UFC and fight officials, fearing a premature end to her career, as well as a target being placed on her in fights.

    The 43-year-old Carano, however, will go through her own set of in-depth testing due to her inactivity and age. The CSAC requires fighters over the age of 40 must undergo the following: a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac testing, an exercise stress echocardiogram, neurocognitive testing, blood work, metabolic panel and ophthalmologic eye exam.

    This is in accordance of recommendations from the Association of Ringside Physicians.

    In spite of the extensive testing, Foster assures that if both women pass everything, the fight will go through.

    “As long as these women pass their medicals and pass all their neurological batteries and do the things they need to do, there’s nothing wrong with this fight,” Foster said.

    Rousey, a 2018 inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame, has not fought in MMA since her sub-minute loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. She has since had a couple of stints with the WWE, becoming a multiple-time women’s world champion.

    Carano, meanwhile, has not fought since her August 2009 loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce. After the end of her MMA run, Carano had a successful transition to Hollywood, earning roles in films such as Fast & the Furious 6 and Deadpool, as well as the first two seasons of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.

    Rousey vs. Carano will headline the first MMA card for MVP Promotions, taking place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, and airing on Netflix.

  • Ronda Rousey MMA Return Against Gina Carano: May 16 on Netflix

    Ronda Rousey MMA Return Against Gina Carano: May 16 on Netflix

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is coming back to mixed martial arts for the first time in nearly a decade, and she’s doing it against fellow women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano.

    The blockbuster matchup was confirmed Tuesday by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, with the fight set for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event will stream live on Netflix and marks MVP’s first professional MMA event.

    Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) will compete at 145 pounds under the Unified Rules of MMA, with the bout sanctioned for five, five-minute rounds using 4-ounce gloves inside a hexagon cage.

    “Been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!” Rousey said in a statement to ESPN.

    Rousey, 39, last competed in MMA in December 2016, when she lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Before that devastating knockout loss, Rousey had been the sport’s biggest star, winning her first 12 professional fights — 11 of them in the first round — and successfully defending the UFC women’s bantamweight title a record six consecutive times. She was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018 and spent four years as a WWE performer, winning three world championships.

    Carano, 43, hasn’t fought since her lone career defeat against Cris Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title in August 2009 — making this a return from a 17-year layoff. Carano was instrumental in bringing mainstream attention to women’s MMA during her career from 2006 to 2009 and went on to appear in films including Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, Deadpool, and The Mandalorian.

    “Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for and it has been her dream to make this fight happen between us,” Carano said. “This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win, and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome.”

    A kickoff press conference is scheduled for March 5 at Intuit Dome, with additional fights for the card to be announced at a later date.

  • Netflix: Crawford vs. Canelo Draws an Incredible 41.1M Global Viewers

    Netflix: Crawford vs. Canelo Draws an Incredible 41.1M Global Viewers

    Canelo Alvarez’s clash with Terence Crawford was a smashing success for Netflix.

    According to Netflix, the undisputed title tilt between two of boxing’s brightest stars drew in more than 41 million global viewers, making it the most-viewed men’s championship bout this century.

    “Over 41 million global viewers watched #CaneloCrawford on Netflix, making it the most-viewed men’s championship boxing match this century!” the streaming giant announced on X.

    Per a report from Reteurs, the peak viewership for Crawford-Canelo was more than 24 million concurrent streams and it was the top-ranked program on Netflix in 30 nations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Philippines, Australia and Argentina.

    Crawford vs. Canelo Gate Good Enough for Third-Highest in Boxing History

    UFC CEO Dana White, who promoted the event alongside Turki Alalshikh in Las Vegas, also revealed that the total gate at Allegiant Stadium was a whopping $47.23 million. That’s good enough to make it the third-highest gate in boxing history, only behind Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor‘s $55 million gate and Mayweather’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao which holds down the top spot, having brought in $72 million.

    Crawford won the bout on Saturday night, securing a unanimous decision victory over Canelo to capture the undisputed super middleweight world championship. With the win, ‘Bud’ improved his overall record to 42-0 (31 KO) while Canelo fell to 63-3 (39 KO) with his only other losses coming against Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.

    While 41 million is an undeniably impressive number, it still pales in comparison to November’s fight between Jake Paul and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, which brought in 108 million global viewers on Netflix.

  • Report: UFC ‘Almost Definitely’ Heading To Netflix After End Of ESPN Deal

    Report: UFC ‘Almost Definitely’ Heading To Netflix After End Of ESPN Deal

    One week after a UFC 313 broadcast that left plenty of complaints and rants against ESPN and their ESPN+ platform, it appears the UFC’s relationship with the American broadcast sports network will be coming to an end.

    According to a recent report from the New York Post, officials at TKO, created by the parent company of the UFC, Endeavor, are furious with the difficulties for UFC 313. They included everything from being unable to purchase the pay-per-view, to customers being double charged for the event, to streaming quality of the card.

    Now, in a new video from the news publication, Jake Aryeh and Erich Richter on Against the Cage noted that while the UFC is still in the middle of an exclusive negotiating window with ESPN, the MMA promotion may be looking to get a deal with Netflix as soon as possible to ensure it begins following the expiration of the deal with ESPN at the end of the year.

    The exclusive negotiating window ends on April 15, according to the Post.

    Richter, in fact, says that he has heard from a “well-connected” source that Netflix will “definitely” be the new home for the UFC.

    UFC Doing ‘Everything In Their Power’ For Netflix Deal After ESPN Exclusive Negotiating Window Expires

    During the 40-minute video, Aryeh and Richter break down multiple issues between the UFC and ESPN. The UFC, who a week later is still very upset by the UFC 313 issues, has an issue with the quality of the technology used by ESPN for broadcasts. ESPN, meanwhile, is reportedly upset with the number of pay-per-view buys for what they pay to broadcast UFC.

    The Post video added that PPV numbers are “way down” to the point where fighters are upset because PPV points in fighters’ contracts mean virtually nothing. The low number of buys can be attributed to various potential reasons from quality of cards to easier methods of pirating in the modern, digital age.

    Aryeh and Richter also note a lack of recent cards that are not behind the ESPN+ subscription paywall, though that could be due to current other commitments of ESPN the last several months that included college football and basketball programming.

    A deal with Netflix may be the easiest and most logical fit given the streaming platform’s recent attempts to get into live sports programming. The UFC’s partners in TKO, the WWE, have found quite the success with their deals with Netflix, which started at the beginning of this year. In fact, the Post notes that the UFC will do “everything in their power” to get a deal with Netflix.

    The Post notes that one roadblock in a deal with Netflix is that Netflix is opposed to the pay-per-view model, which the UFC were able to retain in their deal with ESPN. Customers currently have to pay for an ESPN+ subscription before being able to purchase a UFC pay-per-view. Netflix, however, is reportedly flexible in this regard.

  • Report: UFC Seeking $1 Billion Yearly In New TV Deal, 5 Interested Broadcasters Revealed

    Whoever is interested in obtaining the US television rights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be paying more than a pretty penny.

    Per a new report from Bloomberg, the UFC is looking to obtain a TV rights deal in the United States that will give them more than $1 billion per year.

    The UFC’s current deal with ESPN expires at the end of the year. The two parties originally agreed to a five-year deal worth approximately $1 billion total back in 2018 before a contract extension that made the deal worth about $450 million a year.

    According to reports, ESPN is interested in re-upping its rights with the leading MMA promotion in the world but will face stiff competition from Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as YouTube and the Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming services. ESPN and TKO, the UFC’s parent company, are currently in the midst of an exclusive negotiating period that lasts until mid-April.

    “We started on ESPN seven years ago and had a rocky relationship in the beginning,” UFC CEO Dana White told Bloomberg TV in November. “But now I couldn’t be happier at ESPN, it’s a great relationship and I wouldn’t mind staying with them.”

    UFC Seeks More Than $1 Billion In New TV Rights

    What makes the UFC’s broadcasting services in the country so valuable is that the UFC is the only major sports broadcasting rights that are available for the foreseeable future. The NBA locked up new television contracts last year, while leagues like the NFL and MLB are already early into new broadcasting contracts.

    The UFC’s partner in TKO, the WWE, just started its new broadcasting rights, with its Monday Night Raw program having its Netflix premiere just this past Monday. The partnership, as well as Netflix’s previous ventures into live programming last year with NFL games and the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, giving speculation that the UFC could be interested in partnering with Netflix.

    Amazon Prime has recently been the broadcasting home to ONE Championship Fight Night cards in the U.S.

    There is also the chance that the UFC may split its broadcasting rights like the other U.S. major sports leagues do. This could see, for example, UFC pay-per-views heading to one platform, while UFC Fight Night cards and other programs such as Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, heading elsewhere.