TLDR
- Mike Perry defeated Nate Diaz by corner stoppage after Round 2 at MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood
- Perry dropped Diaz in the first round and opened multiple cuts with punches and elbows
- Diaz’s corner stopped the fight between rounds due to heavy damage and swelling
- The fight served as co-main event on Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA card
- Perry dominated throughout with pressure and power striking in his return to MMA
Sources: ESPN | MMA Fighting | Bloody Elbow | Sherdog
Mike Perry scored a decisive TKO victory over Nate Diaz at MVP MMA 1 on Saturday night when Diaz’s corner stopped the fight after two brutal rounds. The welterweight bout took place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, serving as the co-main event on Most Valuable Promotions’ inaugural MMA card.
Perry controlled the fight from the opening bell, using aggressive pressure and heavy strikes to hurt Diaz early. The bare-knuckle boxing star dropped Diaz in the first round and continued punishing him with a mix of punches and elbows.
Diaz Suffers Heavy Damage
The former UFC fighter absorbed severe punishment throughout the contest. Perry’s strikes opened multiple cuts on Diaz’s face and left him badly swollen and bleeding.
Diaz appeared compromised by the end of the first round and never found his rhythm. The one-sided second round saw Perry continue his assault, leaving Diaz visibly wobbled and battered.
Between the second and third rounds, Diaz’s corner made the decision to stop the fight. They elected not to send their fighter out for the third frame due to the accumulated damage.
Lame. Nate Diaz got his ass best in this fight but you can never count out Nate. Stopping a fight for a cut is just very uneventful. He was bleeding like a stuck 🐖. Mike Perry still the King Of Violence. #RouseyCarano pic.twitter.com/syzbRKdTPh
— Jay Henry (@jay_h3nry) May 17, 2026
Perry’s MMA Return
The fight marked Perry’s return to mixed martial arts after focusing on bare-knuckle boxing. He earned the nickname “King of Violence” during his time competing in bare-knuckle fighting.
Perry’s pressure-heavy style translated effectively back to MMA. He landed powerful strikes consistently while preventing Diaz from establishing any offensive momentum.
The main event of the evening featured Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano. Perry’s performance in the co-main event drew attention on the historic card.
Diaz entered the fight as a veteran of high-level combat sports with years of experience. However, he struggled to deal with Perry’s aggression and power throughout the contest.
The stoppage ended the fight at 2-0 in rounds for Perry. All rounds were clearly in Perry’s favor before the corner intervention.
Perry’s victory came in dominant fashion with no controversy about the result. The cuts, swelling, and damage Diaz sustained made the corner’s decision clear.
The welterweight clash showcased Perry’s striking power and relentless pace. Diaz had no answer for the constant pressure and heavy hands of his opponent.
Most Valuable Promotions, backed by Jake Paul, hosted its first MMA event with the card. The promotion entered the MMA space after establishing itself in boxing.
Perry improved his combat sports resume with the high-profile win. The victory came against a well-known name in Diaz, who has competed at the highest levels of MMA.
The fight lasted approximately 10 minutes of actual combat time across two rounds. Perry landed the more damaging strikes throughout, while Diaz absorbed punishment without mounting effective offense.
Diaz’s corner stoppage came as a protective measure after two rounds of one-sided action. The decision prevented Diaz from taking additional unnecessary damage in a fight he was clearly losing.
