The upcoming Rousey vs. Carano fight card just got a major shake-up, as undefeated prospect Phumi Nkuta steps in on late notice to replace Muhammad Mokaev. Mokaev was forced out of his scheduled bout with former ONE champion Adriano Moraes due to "visa delays," according to Most Valuable Promotions, which announced the change on Saturday.
Nkuta, boasting a pristine 11-0 record, will now face Moraes at a catchweight of 130 pounds as part of the six-fight preliminary card. Known by his nickname "Turbo," Nkuta is widely regarded as one of the sport's brightest rising stars. He recently captured the A1 Combat flyweight title in March with a decisive victory over Namiki Kawahara, adding to an impressive resume that includes wins under the LFA and Bellator banners. Many fight fans and analysts believe Nkuta has been UFC-ready for years, yet he has somehow remained unsigned by a major promotion—until now, when this high-profile opportunity on MVP's debut event could be his breakthrough.
For Moraes, this fight marks his first appearance since concluding an 18-fight tenure with ONE Championship, where he engaged in a legendary trilogy with Demetrious Johnson. In their first meeting, Moraes shocked the MMA world with a brutal second-round knockout of "Mighty" Johnson, though Johnson ultimately took the series by winning the next two bouts. The Brazilian veteran will look to rebound and make a statement in his promotional debut.
MVP's inaugural MMA event is headlined by the blockbuster matchup between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, a fight that has generated massive buzz across the combat sports world. The card also features a welterweight showdown between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, ensuring a night packed with action from top to bottom.
