After a four-year hiatus, Nate Diaz is finally set to make his much-awaited MMA return.
Diaz will lock horns with knockout artist and former UFC star Mike Perry on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This mega event also includes a 5-round heavyweight clash between former heavyweight kingpin Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins.
This first-ever triple-headliner MMA event on Netflix is the OTT platform’s first-ever live MMA broadcast and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event. It will stream live globally only on Netflix at no additional cost for subscribers, as confirmed by Tudum.
The Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry bout will be five-round welterweight clash under the Unified Rules of MMA inside a hexagon cage, as confirmed by Netflix and MVP.
Nate Diaz’s last MMA bout was at UFC 279 in 2022, where he submitted Tony Ferguson, bagged the Performance of the Night bonus, and opted not to re-sign with the promotion.
After his exit from the UFC, the Stockton native transitioned to boxing and lost his first bout against Jake Paul in 2023 via unanimous decision.
In 2024, he ran it back with his former UFC opponent, Jorge Masvidal, and secured revenge with a win in the boxing ring.
Diaz wanted to return to the UFC to get his hands on the BMF strap, but didn’t find the current roster entertaining enough to compel a return.
Mike Perry, on the other hand, last fought under the UFC banner in 2021, after which he signed with BKFC. “Platinum” boasts a 6-0 record in bare-knuckle boxing and is the current King of Violence champion. He has wins over Jeremy Stephens, Eddie Alvarez, and Luke Rockhold, among others. Perry has also ventured into boxing, but has lost both his bouts to date.
Nate Diaz and Mike Perry react after joining the Rona Rousey vs. Gina Carano MMA Card
In a recent press release, Nate Diaz opined that he still has a lot to offer fight fans in the next 10 years, and a new takeover is incoming:
Glad to be back in action. It’s time. Don’t forget where this all came from. I have plans on doing a lot more in the next 10 years, no matter where it is. Time to set the bar again, so get ready for a new takeover again and again until the end of time.:
Meanwhile, Mike Perry has already sent a chilling warning to Diaz. Perry told Netflix:
The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the fu*king face. Saturday, May 16th, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out.”
