Once we start asking the big questions, you know this is a big MMA weekend. No, this isn’t a UFC-numbered event, but MVP’s foray into the world of MMA, which will air on Netflix on Saturday night. As Ronda Rousey said about the scary number system, this isn’t MVP MMA 1, this is Rousey vs. Carano.
Gina Carano last competed in 2009.
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Never mind the inactivity – when the Pioneers clash, people watch. If Daniel Boone and Kit Carson overlapped in the Netflix era, we’re guessing Jake Paul would have lined up these pioneers to face off, too.
Rousey’s matchup with Carano isn’t the only attraction. We have Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins, and some familiar names on the undercard.
Let’s answer the most pressing questions!
1. Let’s start with the most important thing – even if Rousey Carano doesn’t do anything for the current MMA landscape, what does it do? means The current MMA landscape?
Petite: The fight itself isn’t as important as the stance Rousey takes. It’s not so much Rousey vs. Carano as it is Rousey vs. UFC. It’s a strong matchup against one of the biggest stars in the history of the event – the idea of Netflix, MVP and Rousey (at least for this event) teaming up to provide a real challenge to the world’s top MMA event is very appealing.
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I completely understand people’s reluctance to watch this fight, but any true MMA fan must understand the importance of what’s going on for the good of the sport as a whole.
That said, Rossi can’t simply show up here. We need to feel the same energy and spectacle that she brings to the pageantry in order for her to be a viable foundation on which this new venture can be built. Even if she does make a move on that front, she seems to be on the fence about her fighting future.
If this were just one and done, it would still be an MVP and a proof of concept for Netflix once she gives the masses what they want in terms of nostalgia and star power. This is not just a battle, but the birth of a potentially powerful new entity in the industry.
Chuck: If seeing Ronda Rousey take on Gina Carano in our Lord’s 2026 wasn’t crazy enough, the subplot of Rousey taking on the UFC is a surprise. It’s a little strange to hear Ronda talk about the UFC’s budget-conscious business model, especially compared to the idea of an MVP, but her love for Dana White remains. Even though he was associated with a company she no longer cared about, she spoke of him with warmth and affection.
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(You would almost think Dana was being held hostage by TKO, signaling to her that he needed help.)
What it does for MMA is create another avenue for work, money and relevance – the entire list of options a professional boxer can only dream of. This is not believed to be a one-off, which is promising. The UFC is wearing a monocle in this monopoly game, but this group of freedom fighters is trying to change everything. Of course, time will tell.
2. Should the UFC consider MVP MMA a threat?
Chuck: I do wonder what the impact of the deal will be if this first MVP card sells much more than the UFC White House card, and the UFC White House card is definitely designed to do that. Math is the first issue, as Netflix has more than 325 million subscribers and Paramount+ has about 80 million, although the UFC show’s simulcast with CBS will have a significant impact.
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Needless to say, Rousey Carano is going to achieve great things.
The truth is, that’s all that matters to MVP right now: finishing big at select events and being able to claim they put on the biggest show. This is a game they can win. Of course, the UFC is old faithful, building competitions and rosters, and focusing on creating content for tomorrow. The reluctance to “overpay” fighters (some of whom are on this MVP card) will affect them in the short term, but when has the UFC ever worried about that?
No one manipulates our attention space like the UFC, a business model built like a social media scroll.
It’s all going to go on, Pitsey. forever.
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Still, I can’t help but think about the “long-term” side. When the UFC is tied with ESPN, it’s tied with the global leader. Paramount+ is just one of many streaming services. If Netflix wants to play this game for the long term, it’ll be like a sleepy dragon opening its eyes.
Petite: I agree with everything you said here – MVP MMA can only be a threat if it exists. MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian claims the future of the MVP MMA division hinges on the success of the inaugural event, and with Netflix’s involvement virtually guaranteeing a large number of entrants, I’m sure a follow-up event will happen.
The commitment to hosting several events per year could bring some interesting changes to the sport, especially as big stars re-sign with the UFC. Over the past few years, big names outside of the UFC have had limited negotiating power, but Netflix and MVP are already changing that.
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Nate Diaz opted to sign for the Mike Perry fight while in negotiations with the UFC. Rousey has also been vocal about her “dismissive” negotiations with Hunter Campbell. This single event has proven it can attract big names. I expect the sequel will do the same thing, creating a more dynamic market for free agents.
3. What does a Nate Diaz win mean?
Petite: We all know that loss doesn’t mean much to an icon like Nate Diaz, and I expect Perry’s loss – a violent blood orgy, of course – to feel the same way.
Victory, however, is another story. With the future of Ronda Rousey’s fight up in the air, a win for Diaz would provide MVP and Netflix with another superstar. MVP and Netflix might choose to work with Perry if he wins, but Diaz is a household name and better fits the bill when it comes to the kind of marquee the world’s largest streaming platform wants.
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On top of that, if Conor McGregor does fight in the summer, he’ll only have one fight left on his UFC contract. You know which match has caught the eye of Netflix more than Rousey vs. Carano?
You guessed it, Chuck: McGregor vs Diaz 3.
Chuck: Bingo. I think this is exactly what Diaz will face if he figures out how to get through the human slaughterhouse known as Mike Perry. (Of course, I’m as skeptical as you are that this will happen, but sometimes Nate throws the bird at doubters like us.)
One thing Diaz can do, much like Perry, is further promote his brand outside of the UFC. Does he still have the same mystique that McGregor did at his peak in the series? Maybe not, but he had such a cult following that Stockton’s training partners — the likes of Chris Avila and Nick Maximoff — copied his mannerisms. They’re all cut from Diaz’s cloth, and I guess that’s the message when they squirm like Diaz in interviews.
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When Diaz wins a fight, it always creates a huge buzz. Especially when he wins a game we think he should lose. Victory in front of millions of people on Netflix gives him leverage in negotiations with the UFC for that trilogy fight you mentioned.
4. Did the win over Filip Lins help Francis Ngannou? So who do you want to see him fight next?
Chuck: I think, in fact, Ngannou’s performance against Lins will serve as a reminder that the lineal heavyweight champion is still at large. As always, we’re a “what have you done for me lately” public, Petesy – and we need as many refreshers as we can get. If he beats Lins in the first round, we’ll laugh at MVP giving him a warm body, but at the same time we’ll feel that familiar desire to see him challenged.
Maybe this is a pipe dream, but I’d still like to see him fight Jon Jones. If the UFC doesn’t spend money to bring Jones back to the Octagon, MVP will definitely be very happy. They asked 57-year-old Mike Tyson to dance and pitted Gina Carano against Ronda Rousey, who had been inactive for a combined 26 years. The thing is, the UFC would have to cut ties with Jones, and I’m not sure they would be too keen on that. As much as Dana White loves Jon Jones, he also hates Jon Jones.
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Short of pie in the sky…how about a Deontay Wilder fight?
Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins will face off on the main card of Netflix’s “Rusey Carano” on Saturday.
(Melina Pisano via Getty Images)
Petite: That’s the problem with Lins — if Ngannou can do nothing but crush him in the first round, social media is going to have a blast. I think this card would be even better with Francis Ngannou on it. This further positions MVP/Netflix as an opponent of the UFC due to the ongoing tension between the King of Straight MMA and Dana White and co.
This is most likely a pipe dream, but if Ngannou performs as expected, I don’t believe Jones would keep quiet about the opportunity to fight him. After all, White did say Jones wasn’t cut out to play flag football, let alone fight. To paraphrase Jones, another man who seems to be at odds with the UFC is its heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
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I have no doubt his deal is ironclad, but with Eddie Hearn by his side, who knows what possibilities the future holds.
The thing is, of all the potential fights we’ve mentioned here, boxer Deontay Wilder is probably the most likely to happen. I just really doubt he would want to fight Ngannou in MMA. Especially if he sees how the former UFC Heavyweight Champion put on a vest and defeated Ciryl Gane in his last UFC fight!
I agree with you on this: beating Lins won’t elevate Ngannou’s status, but it will put him in the spotlight again. No more, no less.
5. Which other game on this MVP card deserves your attention?
Petite: In my opinion, Saladin Parnas is the best talent outside of the UFC in the last decade. At his best, his striking style is absolutely stunning. He won the featherweight and lightweight titles with KSW, while Mateusz Gamrot left town before the fight began. He’s a real household name in France, with KSW hosting similar events in Paris as we’ve seen with the UFC and PFL.
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I think he could become a real commodity for MVP/Netflix if they continue to promote MMA programming beyond Saturday night. Many believe that his opponent, Kenneth Cross, fighting in John Wood’s Syndicate MMA will provide the French fighter with a real break, so I’m very much looking forward to it.
Two-time KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse takes the giant stage on Netflix on Saturday.
(Anna Coulter via Getty Images)
Chuck: This is a fight I enjoy too, Petesy, and a lot of that has to do with your strong support for Parnas. Every time he shows up, the “star potential” tentacles pop up as well. I’m looking forward to seeing him compete in one of the most important matches for North American viewers.
I’m not sure what to expect with Junior Dos Santos vs. Robellis Despaigne from Karate Combat. In my opinion, this is a showcase moment for Depenne, who is a pretty popular player. In my heart, I’m nervous for “JDS,” one of the cutest guys in fighting games. I don’t like seeing a good guy like him being turned into a scumbag. Optimistically, I know he’s beaten veterans Aaron Belcher and Fabricio Werdum over the past few years, so maybe… perhaps He will surprise us.
