Nate Diaz to Face Mike Perry in Debut MMA Fight Outside UFC

Former UFC star sees Perry as the 'biggest name' he could fight outside the promotion.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:06am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a mixed martial arts match, with the fighters' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette of navy, crimson, and gold.The upcoming Diaz-Perry fight at the new MVP MMA event showcases the shifting power dynamics and growing dissent within the sport.Inglewood Today

Nate Diaz, a former UFC fighter, is making his return to MMA on May 16 at Most Valuable Promotion's inaugural event that will stream live on Netflix. Diaz says Mike Perry is the 'biggest name outside the UFC' that he could fight, as he looks to stay active in both boxing and MMA but feels there are few options for him in the fight game currently.

Why it matters

Diaz's fight with Perry is drawing significant attention, as MVP's new MMA event aims to provide an alternative platform for fighters dissatisfied with the pay and opportunities in the UFC. The event features other notable names like former UFC champions Ronda Rousey and Francis Ngannou, who have been vocal about the lack of fighter compensation in the UFC.

The details

Diaz told reporters that he wanted to 'box the best and fight the best of the best in MMA', but felt there were limited options for him outside the UFC. He sees Perry as the 'biggest name' he could fight at the moment. The MVP event will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California and stream live on Netflix.

  • Nate Diaz's MMA return fight against Mike Perry is scheduled for May 16, 2026.
  • The Most Valuable Promotion (MVP) inaugural MMA event will stream live on Netflix.

The players

Nate Diaz

A former UFC fighter who is making his return to MMA at the MVP event, seeing Mike Perry as the 'biggest name' he could fight outside the UFC.

Mike Perry

A fighter who Nate Diaz has chosen as his opponent for the MVP event, as Diaz feels Perry is the 'biggest name outside the UFC' that he could face.

Most Valuable Promotion (MVP)

A new MMA promotion that is hosting its inaugural event, which will stream live on Netflix and feature notable fighters like Nate Diaz and Mike Perry.

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC champion who has been vocal about the lack of fighter pay in the UFC, and is expected to be involved with the MVP event in some capacity.

Francis Ngannou

A former UFC champion who has also been critical of fighter pay in the UFC, and is expected to be involved with the MVP event.

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What they’re saying

“There is no names, that's the problem. If there was somebody to box, I'd be boxing them. I think Mike Perry was the biggest name outside the UFC I could do. I want to box the best and fight the best of the best in MMA. That's why I got Perry, and that's what I'm looking to do.”

— Nate Diaz, Former UFC Fighter

“I think it's good, and they're the ones doing it. I think I feel like, 'It's fight time. Let's get that sh*t out of the way.' Like I was trying to say, nobody was jumping on board when I was l going. No one helped me. Not to be selfish or be a f*cker or anything, but like, help yourself. That's who's going to get it, you know what I'm saying.”

— Nate Diaz, Former UFC Fighter

What’s next

The May 16th fight between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry at the MVP inaugural event will be a highly anticipated matchup, as both fighters look to make their mark outside the UFC.

The takeaway

Nate Diaz's decision to fight Mike Perry at the new MVP MMA event highlights the limited options for top fighters outside the UFC, as well as the growing dissatisfaction among some fighters with the pay and opportunities in the promotion. The event's ability to attract notable names like Diaz, Rousey, and Ngannou suggests a potential shift in the MMA landscape.