Diaz and Perry Set to Clash in Netflix's First MMA Event

Opening odds favor Mike Perry as the favorite over Nate Diaz in the highly anticipated welterweight bout.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:52pm

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The first-ever MMA event on Netflix will feature a five-round welterweight fight between veteran fighters Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. Diaz, who has a 21-13 MMA record with 17 wins by finish, will enter the bout as a +180 underdog against the -218 favorite Perry, who has revived his career in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after a 7-8 run in the UFC.

Why it matters

This high-profile matchup on Netflix's inaugural MMA card represents a significant milestone for the sport, as the streaming giant looks to expand its sports programming offerings. The fight also features two popular and accomplished fighters in Diaz and Perry, who will look to put on an entertaining show and potentially earn a shot at UFC gold down the line.

The details

Diaz last competed in MMA in 2021, when he submitted Tony Ferguson, while Perry has been active in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, compiling a 7-1 record since leaving the UFC in 2021. This will be Perry's first MMA fight since a unanimous decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez that year. The event, which also features Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins, will take place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

  • Diaz last fought in MMA in 2021.
  • Perry last competed in MMA in 2021, when he lost to Daniel Rodriguez.
  • The Diaz vs. Perry fight will take place on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The players

Nate Diaz

A veteran MMA fighter with a 21-13 record and 17 wins by finish, Diaz is a +180 underdog in this bout.

Mike Perry

After a 7-8 run in the UFC, Perry has revived his career in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, compiling a 7-1 record. He is the -218 favorite in this fight.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge opportunity for MMA on Netflix, and I'm excited to be a part of it.”

— Nate Diaz

“I'm going to put on a show and prove that I'm one of the best welterweights in the world.”

— Mike Perry

What’s next

The winner of this fight could potentially earn a title shot in the UFC's welterweight division.

The takeaway

The Diaz vs. Perry matchup on Netflix's first MMA event represents a significant milestone for the sport, as the streaming giant looks to expand its sports programming offerings. The fight features two popular and accomplished fighters who will look to put on an entertaining show and potentially earn a shot at UFC gold.