Nate Diaz Returns to MMA to Face Mike Perry on Historic Netflix Card
Get ready, fight fans! The legendary Nate Diaz is set to make his highly anticipated return to mixed martial arts, stepping back into the octagon for the first time in nearly four years. Diaz will lock horns with fellow hard-hitter Mike Perry on the undercard of the massive Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event, scheduled to stream live on Netflix.
Most Valuable Promotions, spearheaded by social media sensation turned boxing promoter Jake Paul, officially announced this exciting addition to their May 16th card, which will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout has been slated for five rounds at the welterweight limit of 170 pounds, promising a captivating clash of styles.
For Diaz, this marks his first foray back into MMA since September 2022, when he delivered a dominant submission victory over Tony Ferguson in his farewell performance for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The Stockton, California native rocketed to global superstardom a decade ago, largely thanks to his two unforgettable fights against Conor McGregor. This fierce rivalry not only captivated audiences worldwide but also significantly amplified the profiles of both fighters, cementing their status as bona fide combat sports icons.
Diaz hasn’t been entirely absent from the combat sports scene, however. In the past three years, he’s participated in two high-profile boxing matches. In 2023, he suffered a decision loss to Jake Paul, whose promotional company is behind this upcoming Netflix event. More recently, in 2024, Diaz avenged a previous defeat by outpointing his former UFC rival, Jorge Masvidal, in a boxing bout.
Speaking about his return, Diaz expressed his readiness. “Glad to be back in action. It’s time,” he stated. “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. Time to set the bar again.”
A Look at Mike Perry’s Resurgence
Mike Perry, 34, is no stranger to the fight game. He was a fixture in the UFC until 2021, where he cultivated a reputation for thrilling, all-action fights, though he also faced scrutiny for his conduct outside the cage. Like Diaz, Perry also has experience in the boxing ring against Jake Paul, unfortunately suffering a stoppage loss in July 2024.
Despite a challenging run in his latter UFC years, losing seven of his final ten bouts, Perry has found remarkable success in bare-knuckle boxing, boasting a perfect 6-0 record in that discipline. His upcoming fight against Diaz will be his first competitive MMA bout since 2021, adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup.
A Star-Studded Card for a New Era of Combat Sports
The Diaz vs. Perry bout is the third officially announced contest for what promises to be a landmark event. This will be the inaugural MMA show for Jake Paul’s rapidly expanding promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions. The company has made a clear strategy of showcasing established combat sports legends whose fame and recognition extend far beyond the current landscape of often lesser-known UFC champions.
Adding to the star power, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is also scheduled to compete on the Inglewood card, facing off against Brazil’s Philipe Lins. This collection of high-profile names underscores Paul’s ambition to redefine how combat sports events are promoted and presented, leveraging the drawing power of established icons for a global streaming audience. The event signifies a significant moment, merging the allure of MMA’s storied past with the reach of modern streaming platforms.
