Ex-UFC Star Nate Diaz to Return at MVP 'Rousey vs. Carano' Event

Diaz will face Mike Perry in a welterweight bout on the stacked MVP card, which also features Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:51pm

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Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has announced that former UFC star Nate Diaz will return to MMA action on May 16 to face Mike Perry in a welterweight bout. The event, which will be the first MMA card broadcast on Netflix, is headlined by a women's featherweight clash between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, while Francis Ngannou takes on Philipe Lins in the co-main event.

Why it matters

Diaz's return to the cage is a major event, as the Stockton native has emerged as one of the biggest stars in MMA during his UFC tenure, thanks in large part to his two fights against Conor McGregor. The Diaz vs. Perry matchup is expected to be a highly anticipated and violent affair, as both fighters are known for their aggressive styles.

The details

Diaz, 40, last competed in MMA in September 2022, when he submitted Tony Ferguson in the fourth round of their UFC 279 bout. Since then, he has competed twice in boxing, losing to Jake Paul and defeating Jorge Masvidal. Perry, 34, hasn't fought in MMA since April 2021, when he lost to Daniel Rodriguez in his final UFC appearance. However, he has found success in BKFC, where he has become the organization's top star with a 6-0 record.

  • The MVP event will take place on May 16, 2026.
  • Diaz last competed in MMA in September 2022.

The players

Nate Diaz

A former UFC star who has emerged as one of the biggest names in MMA during his tenure with the promotion, thanks in large part to his two fights against Conor McGregor.

Mike Perry

A 34-year-old fighter who has found success in BKFC, where he has become the organization's top star with a 6-0 record.

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who will face Gina Carano in the main event of the MVP card.

Gina Carano

A former MMA fighter and actress who will face Ronda Rousey in the main event of the MVP card.

Francis Ngannou

A former UFC heavyweight champion who will face Philipe Lins in the co-main event of the MVP card.

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What they’re saying

“MVP delivered the most-viewed boxing event since the advent of cable, and now we're set to break records again with the biggest viewership in MMA history with the addition of Diaz vs Perry to Rousey vs Carano and Ngannou vs Lins.”

— Nakisa Bidarian, MVP CEO

“Glad to be in action. It's time. Don't forget where this all came from. I got plans on doing a lot more in the next 10 years, no matter where it is. Time to set the bar again, so get ready for a new takeover again and again until the end of time.”

— Nate Diaz

“The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f—ing face. Saturday, May 16th, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out.”

— Mike Perry

What’s next

The event will be the first MMA card to be broadcast on Netflix, marking a significant milestone for the sport.

The takeaway

The MVP event featuring the return of Nate Diaz, as well as high-profile matchups between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, and Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins, is poised to be a major moment in MMA history, with the potential to set new viewership records for the sport.