Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is making a massive leap into the world of mixed martial arts. The company, co-founded by the social media star-turned-boxer and former UFC executive Nakisa Bidarian, is launching its first major MMA venture on May 16th with a card headlined by a dream match a decade in the making: the return of Ronda Rousey against Gina Carano.

This isn't just another fight card; it's a potential watershed moment for the sport. Airing globally on Netflix—the world's largest streaming platform with over 325 million subscribers—Rousey vs. Carano has a legitimate shot at becoming the most-watched MMA event in history. The star power doesn't stop there. The stacked lineup also features former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou taking on Philipe Lins and a guaranteed barnburner between Mike Perry and Nate Diaz.

While MVP has built its reputation on high-profile boxing events, the success of this May spectacle could permanently shift its focus. According to Bidarian, the future of MVP in MMA hinges directly on this single night. "I think a lot of it depends on May 16th," Bidarian told Sports Business Journal. "We're putting a lot of fire power, star power, distribution to the event. If it works, and I'm very confident it will work, yes—MVP will be involved in MMA over the long term."

MVP is no stranger to creating global sporting moments. After producing Paul's fight against Mike Tyson, which peaked at over 100 million viewers on Netflix, the promotion is leveraging that same formula: pairing legendary names with unprecedented distribution. Rousey, a pioneer who hasn't fought since 2016, and Carano, who last competed in 2009, represent the ultimate nostalgia blockbuster.

Bidarian is clear, however, that MVP isn't looking to challenge the UFC's week-in, week-out dominance. Instead, the vision is to specialize in what they're calling "blockbuster live events" (BLEs)—massive, can't-miss spectacles that capture the casual fan's imagination. In this high-stakes game, Netflix isn't just a broadcaster; it's the ultimate megaphone, providing the global reach needed to turn a great fight into a cultural event.