Most Valuable Promotions, the upstart boxing promotion featuring Jake Paul, and the streaming giant are going all in on their first-ever MMA event. In addition to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins, another massive bout has been added to the card:

Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry.

A look at the first-ever MMA event on Netflix right now:

👊 RONDA ROUSEY vs. GINA CARANO
👊 FRANCIS NGANNOU vs. PHILIPE LINS
👊 NATE DIAZ vs. MIKE PERRY

Buckle up 🔥#RouseyCarano
Saturday, May 16
LIVE on Netflix pic.twitter.com/tw8qyI6sjI

— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) March 16, 2026

Fight fans can now circle May 16 as the biggest MMA event of the year, with apologies to the UFC’s “Freedom 250” card. That card might have more meaning to certain divisions inside the UFC, but for name value, Netflix and MVP have knocked it out of the park.

Diaz (21-13 MMA) exited the UFC in 2022 off a win over Tony Ferguson, after butting heads with the promotion over a new contract. Instead, he fought out his existing deal, then made his way into boxing, where he defeated old BMF rival Jorge Masvidal before losing a big-money bout to Jake Paul.

That fight, which was co-promoted between MVP and Diaz’s own production company, likely set up the foundation for Diaz to work with Paul once again. The pair have long been a match-up fans wanted to see in MMA for the sheer novelty of it— but Perry, a fellow former UFC star, is unquestionably the more appropriate fight.

Perry (14-8), like Diaz, parted ways with the UFC a few years back, off a loss to Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez. He made his way into boxing, losing to Jake Paul but winning BKFC’s “King of Violence” title in the bare-knuckle realm (and going as far as defending it against Jeremy Stephens last October, improving to 6-0 as a bare-knuckle boxer).

Neither fighter has fought in MMA since exiting the UFC, which if nothing else puts them on even footing. And the trash talk alone in this one should be legendary.

Netflix’s first foray into MMA alongside MVP takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA on May 16, 2026.

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Although the Professional Fighters League announced the news on Friday, during Tuesday’s Rousey vs. Carano kick-off press conference, Ngannou revealed that the announcement “was just the news that came out on Friday.”

“I think that this was an ongoing process for a couple months. I think we’ve been in this position since probably January, that I found out I would not be having another fight in the PFL,” stated Ngannou. “So then I started to look for other options. Then right away, I mean two weeks ago, I was reached out to by Nikisa [Bidarian] to give me an offer.”

Ngannou fought just once for the PFL, after signing with the league in 2023. That was an October 2024 fight against Renan Ferreira, who Ngannou finished via knockout.

Part of the PFL’s problem booking Francis Ngannou, alongside the star’s boxing pursuits, was landing the right opponent. It seems Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, who signed Ngannou for the Rousey-Carano card in the co-main event slot on May 16, faced the same struggles.

“Originally it was a big name. I mean no disrespect to Philipe, Philipe Lins, which is even a more dangerous opponent, but originally it was Rico [Verhoeven, former GLORY kickboxing champ]. So he [Bidarian] called me, and was like ‘okay, what do you think about fighting Rico in MMA?’ I’m like ‘damn, that sounds good. I never thought about it, but I think it’s a good opportunity.'”

Of course, that’s not the fight that was put together in the end. Verhoeven instead took a fight in boxing, against Oleksandr Usyk. Ngannou meanwhile gets fellow PFL and UFC vet Philipe Lins.

“Long story short, [that was] on Friday two weeks ago. Then Rico gets signed for the Usyk fight, so that wasn’t an option. Then we were looking for a replacement, then Philipe came out as the best option.”

Asked why he was still competing at this stage of his career, Ngannou bristled. “I’m not done. What do you mean, at this stage of my career?” he questioned.

“I still enjoy this. I’m in a better shape than I’ve ever been, even while fighting. For the past nine months, I’ve been in the gym everyday just because I enjoy it,” explained Ngannou. “So far it’s still my job. Of course I do some stuff on the side, but this is my primary job. I just wake up, get excited to go to the gym, do what I want to do, then look around if I have a fight.”

“That’s also a privilege of being a free man. You go out there, do whatever pleases you, and then if there is an opportunity to fight, you fight. If there’s not, you do your business, do your living, and keep on moving.”

“The good thing is when you have to do it because you want to do it, because you like to do it. I think that’s when the real pleasure of fighting begins,” continued Ngannou. “You don’t feel like you’re obliged, you’re forced to fight, you have to. It’s better to fight when you want to fight, and that’s the position that I am in right now.”

Francis Ngannou expects that, in that position, he can continue to compete for a couple more years.

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Tsarukyan was matched up with Georgio Poullas at the event in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday. Poullas was clearly losing the match, and started clubbing Tsarukyan at one point, possibly looking for a DQ. That wasn’t forthcoming, and Arman waited until the match was over, then shoved Poullas and went after him with an elbow and punches.

Chaos erupted shortly after, as both teams and any number of random spectators in the venue entered the fray.

Colby Covington was later seen escorting Poullas backstage. Tsarukyan won the match on points. Aside from the potential DQ attempt, the pair also slapped each other at one point. Not a pretty sight.

A brawl breaks out after Arman Tsarukyan’s victory over Georgio Poullas at #RAF6 😳

pic.twitter.com/b3dAqQTst2

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 1, 2026

BRAWL JUST BROKE OUT AT #RAF06 BETWEEN ARMAN TSARUKYAN AND GEORGIO POULLAS

🎥: @ELaw32 pic.twitter.com/VfKkeQUugI

— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) March 1, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan is ranked #2 in the UFC’s lightweight division, behind only interim champ Justin Gaethje and champion Ilia Topuria. He last fought in November, submitting Dan Hooker; an early 2025 title shot fell through when Tsarukyan pulled out of a fight with Islam Makhachev last minute. That saw Renato Moicano replace him, and left him on the outs with the promotion, as UFC CEO and President Dana White openly questioned the seriousness of his injury.

Tsarukyan has been at the center of several controversies, including getting into it with Hooker at the UFC Qatar weigh-ins. In 2024, he was suspended nine months for punching a fan.

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In a sport that has admittedly grown stale, allowing Zuffa Boxing and its partners to swoop in and snatch up English star Conor Benn, creativity appeared to be at a standstill. However, on Friday, one of Zuffa’s partners, Turki Alalshikh, was among those behind one of the biggest boxing crossovers in years:

Former GLORY heavyweight kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven will face Oleksandr Usyk for his WBC heavyweight championship in Giza, Egypt.

The card takes place on May 23, 2026, and is arguably the biggest crossover fight since Conor McGregor faced Floyd Mayweather in 2017. The nearest comparison since might be Francis Ngannou facing Tyson Fury, though that appeared to find Fury sleeping on the ex-UFC heavyweight champ.

The card is set to air on DAZN and is being billed as “Glory in Giza.”

Legends collide where legends were built 🥊🦂

On May 23, under the shadows of the ancient giants, Oleksandr Usyk takes on Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza 🔥

Glory in Giza | May 23 | LIVE on DAZN

Brought to you by @ringmagazine pic.twitter.com/Oh7vDDvLZY

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) February 27, 2026

Verhoeven is 1-0 as a professional boxer, a fight that took place back in 2014. He’s also 1-0 as a mixed martial artist and had been in talks with the UFC to appear on the first Paramount+ card, until the promotion balked at the price tag attached to the kickboxing star.

The Dutch striker defended his GLORY heavyweight title 13 times, and won the promotion’s heavyweight tournament in 2014. He left the promotion in November, vacating his title in the process.

Usyk is a perfect 24-0 inside the ring, with two wins over each of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, among others.

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That’s saying something, given he’s yet to even sign with the promotion.

On Thursday, Steveson entered the cage to compete in MMA for just the third time, headlining MFL 3 in Monterrey, Mexico where he took on the vastly more experienced Hugo Lezama.

Steveson was 2-0 to start the night, with Jon “Bones” Jones in his corner, while Mexico’s Lezama was 11-3. That, of course, doesn’t factor in Steveson’s wrestling pedigree, which is why many have tapped him as the heavyweight of the future.

If there was a knock on Lezama, meanwhile, it was that he was undersized as a heavyweight, frequently dropping to 205lbs for fights at light heavyweight while also fighting a weight class up. Maybe that’s why Lezama came in at his heaviest (238lbs) for Thursday’s tilt, not that it mattered in the end.

After a bit of work on the feet early in the fight, Lezama tried flipping the script and shooting a takedown on the Olympic wrestler, which Steveson easily stuffed. Steveson then wound up on top briefly, but had to avoid an upkick, and welcomed the fight back to the feet. A spinning back kick by Lezama followed, but he seemed to lose his footing, going down easy and eating some big shots from Steveson on the ground.

Steveson welcomed Lezama back up, and this time he landed a spinning kick before Gable overwhelmed him and got the fight back down. Steveson wound up controlling from the back; when Lezama rolled, Steveson was there with elbows, punches, and a big knee to the side. Lezama managed to survive that onslaught, with Steveson ending up in half-guard while the Mexican heavyweight held on. Lezama would scramble, but Steveson stayed with him, got back on top, and fired more ground n’ pound on an already bloodied Lezama. This time, the ref decided Lezama wasn’t defending well enough, and waved things off.

“I feel great. A lot of things to get better on, but I’m getting better every day,” Steveson said following the performance. Asked what comes next in his career, however, he sidestepped the question. “I’m going to take a shower, go back to the hotel and fall asleep.”

There has been talk about Gable Steveson debuting for the UFC later this year, even at the White House event in June, though it amounts to nothing more than rumor at this point. Still, Steveson has done everything in his power to make that dream a reality.

Official Result: Gable Steveson def. Hugo Lezama by TKO (ground n’ pound), Round 1, 3:50

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In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal revealed that he has secured new funding for the promotion, which hosted several events in 2023 and 2024 featuring the likes of Junior Dos Santos, Roy “Big Country” Nelson, Alan Belcher and others.

After taking all of 2025 off, the promotion, which features the Unified Rules of MMA only without gloves, will host events on April 10 and May 1, 2026, kicking off tournaments at lightweight and heavyweight.

Among the fights announced, UFC heavyweight vet Todd Duffee will face former PFL star Bruno Cappelozza on the May 1 date in Miami, while Anthony Smith returns from retirement to face fellow UFC alum Chase Sherman as part of the April card.

A former UFC title challenger at light heavyweight, Smith (38-22) retired off a loss against Zhang Mingyang last year.

Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA bears the nickname of its founder, Jorge “Gamebred” Masivdal, who also ran Gamebred FC and Gamebred Boxing in recent years. He told MMA Junkie Radio that “We’re giving as much money as we can to the fighters,” adding that “Really, who’s doing anything right now? It’s just worked out perfectly.”

Guto Innocente vs. Mohammed Usman and Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko have also been announced for the April card, which will be held in the Dominican Republic. Usman, brother of former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, was released by the UFC last year after failing a drug test.

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The skirmish in the concession stands has wound up being more talked about than the headliner itself, given what a bad night of boxing Paul vs. Joshua was (though somehow, Andrew Tate managed to embarrass himself even worse the following evening).

Now, Doherty is claiming that Arlovski actually started the confrontation, despite video footage showing the exact opposite – Doherty bumping into the former UFC heavyweight champ, twice his size, then having a few words. Doherty’s denials run in the face of the fact that sparking confrontations is his exact MO, which Youtube has somehow allowed to continue over the years, despite a dangerous number of copycats and the possibility of real harm.

“How did I start the Andrei Arlovski fight? Watch the video u (sic) old twitter f*cks u (sic) guys just point the finger at the kid who’s half ur (sic) age and way richer than u (sic). I would do the same tho,” Doherty wrote in a brief statement on social media site Twitter/X.

If nothing else, it’s clear Doherty doesn’t have an assistant writing his tweets for him. In any case, anyone who has watched the video probably knows what’s up. Arlovski, however, addressed the matter on his Instagram Story on Sunday, fielding questions from numerous fans, several of whom thanked the heavyweight for rag-dolling several members of Doherty’s crew, while Doherty himself hid behind his bodyguard.

Arlovski did, however, deny that he had beat anyone from Doherty’s crew up, despite being seen landing multiple punches on at least three assailants, including the Youtuber’s rather large bodyguard, who quickly seemed to realize he was out-gunned.

“First of all, I didn’t beat anyone, I just stopped the threat. They were threatening me, my wife, my kid and I had another friend [present],” stated Arlovski. “So I did what I was supposed to do, what every man’s supposed to do. Stop the threat.”

He’d go on to add in response to a second fan that “I didn’t beat them. I just stopped the threat like I said.”

Asked why he was attacked, Arlovski suggested that “I guess because they were looking for content for their website, and I guess I was a victim.”

“They thought maybe it’s going to be easy content for Youtube. Maybe that’s why.
Maybe I’m old, maybe because it was like three idiots and a big bodyguard. Actually you know what it’s kind of weird, because I saw him walking but I didn’t pay attention, that he might be with them. And he kind of landed one punch. So I have to be more alert and pay attention to more people who are around. That’s the lesson.”

When it was suggested he take out the bodyguard in question, in more explicit terms, Arlovski replied saying “That guy, he was sneaky. He sucker punched me and I didn’t accept that f*cking punch, to be honest with you.”

Still, he held back on calling the altercation an actual fight. “Fight? They just tried to film some content I guess.” And he had a rather underhanded compliment, albeit a well deserved one, for Jack Doherty. “It was a successful escape. He was successfully hiding and running away, behind his bodyguard. He did a great job.”

Andrei Arlovski will be in a sanctioned fight in February, when he faces fellow UFC alum “Big” Ben Rothwell for the BKFC heavyweight championship.

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Arlovski was in the house for the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight, with his own BKFC heavyweight title fight against Ben Rothwell coming up in February.

At one point, near the arena’s concession stands, Arlovski can be seen bumping shoulders with a spectator later identified as Jack Doherty, a Youtube creator with over 15 million followers. Known as “The Internat’s Favorite Punching Bag” for generally embarrassing behaviour including trolling and sparking confrontations only to hide behind bodyguards, Doherty may or may not have set this up as a stunt, but what followed was completely predictable.

Arlovski, who has been fighting professionally since 1999, immediately took care of Doherty’s larger body guard, then tossed around two other members of Doherty’s entourage essentially like they were small children. Which, in comparison to the former UFC champion, they quite literally are.

Rather bafflingly, one of those individuals actually threw the first punch. Possibly too young to recognize just who they stepping up against, if they didn’t stage the entire thing for views.

The brawl, such as it was, was rather one-sided in the end and caught on camera. Doherty can later be heard telling his entourage to back off as they retreat, flipping off the heavyweight.

Jack Doherty gets his friends beat up by Andrei Arlovski for bumping into him after the Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua fight. pic.twitter.com/NJXnWJkm84

— Don’t Suspend Me (@__OnlyTruth_) December 20, 2025

Andrei “The Pibtull” Arlovski faces “Big” Ben Rothwell, a fellow UFC alum, for the BKFC heavyweight crown on February 7, 2026 at BKFC KnuckleMania 6.

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Better known as a boxing promotion, Misfits have strayed into the MMA landscape, with Danis winning the company’s inaugural light heavyweight title after submitting striker Warren Spencer back in April.

Danis was to have defended that belt at Misfits Mania on December 20 in Dubai, but has not been medically cleared to compete.

Misfits Boxing issued the following statement on the matter via social media:

“Unfortunately, Dillon Danis will not be competing at “The Fight Before Christmas” event in Dubai on December 20, 2025.

“Independent physicians have determined that he is not medically cleared to compete at this time due to the melee that occurred at Madison Square Garden last month.

“We want to be very direct: this call is being made solely by medical professionals. Dillon pushed for every possible path to remain on the card, but the doctors were not willing to clear him to compete this month.

“Misfits Boxing takes athlete health extremely seriously, and we fully expect him back in the Misfits ring in 2026 to defend his Misfits MMA title.”

Dillon Danis was seen being jumped by fighters including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed “John Pork” Zaynukov at the start of the UFC 322 main card at Madison Square Garden in New York City last month. It’s far from the only time Danis has been the target of a brawl, or of that particular crew: Khabib Nurmagomedov infamously jumped out of the octagon at UFC 229 in order to get at Danis, following his win over rival Conor McGregor.

The ensuing chaos put fans in the building at risk and resulted in all involved being suspended and fined by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

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