TLDR
- Nate Diaz returns to MMA after nearly four years to face Mike Perry on May 16 at Intuit Dome
- The five-round welterweight bout streams on Netflix as part of Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA card
- Diaz last fought in MMA in September 2022; Perry comes off an undefeated bare-knuckle boxing run
- The event is headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano with Francis Ngannou also fighting on the card
- Perry is expected to earn a career-high payday while both fighters return to MMA after boxing ventures
Sources: 102.7 ESPN | Bloody Elbow | MMA Fighting
Nate Diaz will return to mixed martial arts for the first time in nearly four years when he faces Mike Perry in a five-round welterweight bout on May 16. The fight takes place at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will stream on Netflix.
The event is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, the company co-founded by Jake Paul. It represents Netflix’s first venture into broadcasting MMA events.
The Diaz-Perry matchup serves as a co-main event on a card headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at 145 pounds. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will also fight former PFL tournament winner Philipe Lins on the same card.
Diaz’s MMA Hiatus and Boxing Ventures
Diaz holds a 21-13 record in MMA and last competed in the sport in September 2022. He submitted Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in what became the final fight of his UFC contract.
The Stockton, California native built his reputation through wins over Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone. His rivalry with Conor McGregor included a famous submission victory in 2016.
Nate Diaz is back! He’s fighting Mike Perry in MMA on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano card! Excited for this fight! This will be a bloody one! 👊🏼🩸 @NateDiaz209 pic.twitter.com/yrUryoQmGG
— Ross Edmonds (@RosssEdmonds) March 18, 2026
After leaving the UFC, Diaz shifted focus to boxing. He lost a decision to Jake Paul in 2023 but won a rematch against Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
“Glad to be back 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.”
The 41-year-old fighter also competed for the UFC’s symbolic “BMF” title against Masvidal in 2019. His return marks his first MMA fight under the Unified Rules since leaving the UFC.
Perry’s Bare-Knuckle Success
Perry brings a 14-8 MMA record into the fight but has been away from traditional mixed martial arts. The former UFC fighter reinvented himself in bare-knuckle boxing.
He went undefeated in six bouts with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Perry defeated several former MMA contenders and earned BKFC’s “King of Violence” title.
Like Diaz, Perry also fought Jake Paul in 2024. He lost by sixth-round knockout in that boxing match.
“The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f—ing face,” Perry said in a statement. “Saturday, May 16, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out.”
According to reports, Perry is expected to earn a career-high payday for the Netflix fight. The bout gives both fighters a chance to return to MMA after successful ventures in other combat sports.
The fight will follow the Unified Rules of MMA and take place inside a hexagon cage. Each of the five rounds will last five minutes.
Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said the company 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,” Bidarian said.
The promotion believes the combination of Diaz-Perry, Rousey-Carano, and Ngannou-Lins will attract major attention. All three fights feature former UFC stars or champions.
Diaz and Perry share a common opponent in Jake Paul, though both lost their boxing matches against him. Their MMA backgrounds and fan-friendly fighting styles have generated excitement for the matchup.
The event streams exclusively on Netflix on Saturday, May 16.
