TLDR
- Nate Diaz returns to MMA for the first time since September 2022 to face Mike Perry on May 16
- The five-round welterweight bout streams on Netflix as part of Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event
- Diaz-Perry joins a triple-headliner card featuring Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou vs Philipe Lins
- Both fighters previously competed in the UFC before taking different paths in combat sports
- The event takes place at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles with MVP aiming for record MMA viewership
Sources: Low Kick MMA | ESPN | CBS Sports | Fight News
Nate Diaz will return to mixed martial arts for the first time in nearly four years when he faces Mike Perry on May 16 at Most Valuable Promotions’ debut MMA event. The promotion confirmed the fight with ESPN on Monday.
The five-round welterweight bout will stream exclusively on Netflix as part of a triple-headliner card at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano tops the bill, with Francis Ngannou vs Philipe Lins also featured.
Diaz Returns After Boxing Detour
Diaz, 40, last competed in MMA at UFC 279 in September 2022, where he defeated Tony Ferguson. Since then, the Stockton, California native has focused on boxing.
He lost a unanimous decision to Jake Paul in 2023. In 2024, Diaz earned a majority decision win over Jorge Masvidal.
The former UFC star carries a 21-13 MMA record into this fight. His career highlights include wins over Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone, plus a famous rivalry with Conor McGregor.
I can tell you the UFC was interested in bringing Nate Diaz back, but at the end of the day, this was a no-brainer for Nate. I don't think it's going out on a limb to say this could be the most-watched MMA card of all time, because it's on the biggest platform in the world.
You… pic.twitter.com/vZniLmaBuv
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 16, 2026
Diaz submitted McGregor in 2016, which helped establish him as one of the most popular figures in combat sports. He fought for the UFC’s symbolic BMF title in 2019 but lost to Masvidal.
“Glad to be in action. It’s time,” Diaz said in a statement. “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.”
Perry Brings BKFC Success to MMA Return
Mike Perry, known as “Platinum,” left the UFC in 2021 with a 14-8 record. He then moved to bare knuckle fighting, where he found major success.
Perry holds a 6-0 record in BKFC with wins over Michael “Venom” Page, Jeremy Stephens, Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez. His performance earned him the “King of Violence” championship.
Like Diaz, Perry also tried boxing. Jake Paul stopped him in the sixth round in July 2024.
“The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f–king face,” Perry said in a statement. “Saturday, May 16th, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out.”
The fight will follow the Unified Rules of MMA inside a hexagon cage. Both fighters will compete for five five-minute rounds.
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, said the event aims to break viewership records. “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,” he said.
Bidarian called the matchup a war waiting to happen. “Nate Diaz is the Real BMF, and Mike Perry is the King of Violence – this will be a war from the first press conference all the way to the end when one of them has their hand raised,” he stated.
The May 16 event marks Netflix’s first MMA broadcast. It also represents Most Valuable Promotions’ entry into mixed martial arts after success in boxing.
Both fighters enter the cage with something to prove after their recent boxing defeats to Paul. The fight takes place on a Saturday night in Los Angeles.
