Two of the biggest stars in women’s sports, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, will square off in the main event of MVP’s first foray into mixed martial arts on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Much of the industry’s interest has focused on what happened on Netflix. Because of the platform’s reach, this gathering of era-defining fighters could draw more attention than the UFC’s 2026 headliner at the White House. There are also questions surrounding the regularity of such events – is this a one-off event or is MVP officially entering the MMA industry? If so, how many events can we expect each year? If it’s multiple, does that immediately make it the UFC’s biggest competitor?
advertise
Before that, we need to see what happens on May 16th. Even though the main event is in place, one can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen with the rest of the campaign. After all, every super fight needs a trump card.
The event also provides a solid supporting role as Netflix shows the world its emphasis on spectacle over sport with the 2024 boxing extravaganza between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, with a rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano providing the main support for the freak show.
With Carano out of action for 17 years and Rousey’s last fight taking place nearly a decade ago, MVP appears to be falling back on Bellator’s old formula of focusing on established veterans in an effort to excite the masses – albeit with a much stronger cast. So while MVP and Netflix are unlikely to match the sporting value of a Taylor vs. Serrano matchup, there are plenty of players who could rock the boat in a similar way. Fortunately for MVP, Paul’s promotions department already has business relationships with several of the biggest names in the MMA world, many of whom have traded codes with the promotion’s frontman for leather deals over the past few years.
Former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have been named MVPs.
(Ed Mulholland via Getty Images)
the usual suspects
Let’s talk about those notches on Paul’s belt.
advertise
Sure, they didn’t have huge success when they swapped the octagon for a square circle, but they’re still beloved legends in the sport of MMA, which could significantly enhance the intrigue surrounding the card.
Nate Diaz He’s still a free agent and another legendary icon already etched in the annals of his sport. He bounced back from a loss to Jake Paul in 2023, defeated Jorge Masvidal by majority decision in a surprisingly entertaining boxing match in 2024, and remains one of the most popular figures in MMA.
You can’t rule out the eternal Anderson Silva Or show up. The former UFC middleweight champion is six years removed from the sport he once dominated, but he’s already making a lasting impression on Netflix thanks to his appearance on the Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul undercard. As many will recall, he knocked out another May 16 undercard candidate that night.
Of course that person is Tyron Woodley. Let’s be clear, no one is asking the former UFC welterweight champion to join. When Rousey’s fight against Carano ended, it was less than six months after his knockout loss to “The Spider.” That said, Woodley appears to have a great working relationship with MVP and his legacy in MMA speaks for itself.
advertise
Although he lost to Paul in the boxing ring in 2024, Mike Perry Rebranding himself as the “King of Violence” under BKFC. He’s probably done a better job of repositioning himself than any other UFC fighter before him. Although he’s still under contract with BKFC, the naked leader has shown some mercy when it comes to big opportunities in the past, namely the aforementioned Paulo fight.
wildcard
MVP could also take advantage of some relatively left-field options.
Rico VerhoevenAs the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight champion and a big name in kickboxing, he at least toyed with the idea of crossing over into the world of MMA before ultimately turning down an invitation from the UFC. The boxing world appears to be beckoning towards the Dutch legend, but MVP signing him could add insult to injury for the UFC as he drops the ball in negotiations.
advertise
Do you know who would be Verhoeven’s tough opponent if he made his MMA debut with this card? An undeniable fighter, his signing could exacerbate tensions between Paul and UFC CEO Dana White? Francis Ngannouthat’s who. He’s already stated that his PFL contract is set to expire before the UFC White House event, so who’s to say he won’t become a free agent a month before that?
Can Francis Ngannou be a key player in MVP’s first MMA tour?
(Anadolu, Getty Images)
Want to go crazy? We’re talking left field, right? What about returning to MMA after being released from prison? Cain Velazquez? Not only is he a famous former UFC champion, his legal situation has made him a sentimental figure in the sport. Having him in the game could help MVP a lot as they enter this new world.
in the family
What we haven’t discussed yet is that the first main event could be to set the stage for either Rousey or Carano. Luckily for MVP, Paul’s company happened to sign Rousey to star in one of the biggest nights of his career.
advertise
Holly Holm Since retiring from the UFC, she has returned to the ring – she scored a victory in Paul’s undercard fight against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but lost an undercard fight between Amanda Serrano and Reyna Tellez in January with the promotion. While her competition for Rousey vs. Caranoca isn’t the most important thing, Holm must We’d be in the arena that night, piqued our interest in a potential rematch if Rousey wins.
Who can forget the man himself, Jake Paul. There’s no doubt he’ll add a lot of eyeballs to MVP’s big MMA launch, but I think that’s more likely to happen with Netflix’s follow-up event. Paul’s MMA debut has been debated for years – he even signed with the PFL at one point. There’s also the suspense of a second meeting between him and Diaz, but in an MMA fight. Regardless of his background, Paul fits Netflix’s appetite for spectacle, so don’t be too shocked if that comes to fruition in the future.