Most Valuable Promotions is gearing up for a blockbuster event that's set to shake up the MMA world. Their upcoming card, streaming live on Netflix on May 16, boasts a star-studded lineup featuring legends like Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Francis Ngannou, and Nate Diaz. It's a bold move from Jake Paul's promotion, aiming to make a massive splash in the mixed martial arts market.
But not everyone is buying the hype. One UFC featherweight contender believes MVP's grand plan might actually backfire—and hand a golden opportunity to their biggest rival.
Melquizael Costa, a rising force in the UFC's 145-pound division, sees the MVP card as an unintentional gift for his own upcoming fight. He's set to square off against Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night on the very same day. Costa, speaking to Bloody Elbow's Filipe Guedes, laid out his theory with surprising confidence.
"I think they've set the stage for us without even realizing it," Costa explained. "A lot of casual fans will tune in on Netflix expecting fireworks. But let's be real—there might be one or two exciting fights, and the rest will be slow, scrappy affairs. It's like watching an action movie and then getting stuck with a horror flick. After a boring bout, fans will think, 'Hey, there's another event on the other channel,' and they'll flip over to ours."
Costa also pointed to scheduling as a key advantage. "Our event will likely start much earlier, so they've inadvertently built the audience for us," he added.
The timing couldn't be better for Costa. The number 12-ranked featherweight is riding a six-fight winning streak, including two consecutive knockout victories. That kind of momentum has turned him into one of the division's most dangerous up-and-comers.
A win over Allen, who sits at number seven in the rankings, would be a massive leap forward. It would put Costa in striking distance of top contenders like Aljamain Sterling, Movsar Evloev, and Jean Silva. For a fighter on the rise, this is the kind of opportunity that can define a career.
In the world of combat sports, sometimes the biggest stage isn't the one you're on—it's the one that sends fans your way. And Costa is ready to make the most of it.