Nate Diaz Teammate to Face UFC Vet on MVP 'Rousey vs. Carano' Card

Chris Avila and Brandon Jenkins will compete in a 165-pound catchweight bout at the May 16 event.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Most Valuable Promotions has finalized its first-ever mixed martial arts card, featuring a matchup between UFC veterans Chris Avila and Brandon Jenkins. Avila, a training partner of Nate Diaz, will take on Jenkins in a 165-pound catchweight bout at the May 16 event, which will take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Why it matters

This event marks the debut of the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) MMA promotion, which is co-founded by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. The Avila-Jenkins fight is one of the main bouts on the card, showcasing the promotion's ability to attract well-known MMA fighters for its inaugural event.

The details

Chris Avila, a member of the Cesar Gracie Fight Team and a training partner of Nate Diaz, has an 8-9 professional record and has competed in organizations such as the UFC, Bellator, and Combate Americas. Brandon Jenkins, known as 'The Highlight Reel', has a 17-12 record and has fought in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

  • The MVP MMA event will take place on May 16, 2026.
  • Avila's last professional MMA appearance was in 2021, but he has remained active in professional boxing since then.
  • Jenkins last fought in October 2025.

The players

Chris Avila

A 33-year-old MMA fighter and training partner of Nate Diaz, representing the Cesar Gracie Fight Team. He has an 8-9 professional record and has competed in the UFC, Bellator, and Combate Americas.

Brandon Jenkins

A 34-year-old MMA fighter known as 'The Highlight Reel', with a 17-12 professional record. He has competed in the UFC, Bellator, PFL, and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

A new MMA promotion co-founded by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, hosting its inaugural event on May 16, 2026.

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What’s next

The Avila-Jenkins fight is one of the main bouts on the inaugural MVP MMA event, which will take place on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The Avila-Jenkins matchup on the MVP MMA card showcases the promotion's ability to attract well-known MMA fighters for its debut event, as it looks to establish itself in the crowded MMA landscape.