Get ready for an epic comeback as two trailblazers of women's MMA, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, step back into the ring! These legendary fighters are returning from retirement to headline the inaugural MMA event under Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions on May 16. It's a highly anticipated comeback, with Rousey's last fight ending in a first-round knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in 2016, and Carano retiring after a similar defeat to Cris Cyborg in 2009.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, emphasizes the uniqueness of Rousey, stating, "What other female athlete has sold over 50,000 tickets and generated millions of pay-per-views?" He believes the Rousey-Carano matchup will captivate audiences worldwide, creating a truly global MMA event.
While the main event is set, the undercard fights are still a mystery. But our team of experts, Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto, and Jeff Wagenheim, have some fantasy matchups in mind for this historic card.
Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman 3: The Trilogy
More than a decade after their back-to-back UFC middleweight title fights in 2013, former champions Silva and Weidman were initially scheduled to meet in a boxing match last November. However, an injury to Weidman led to a last-minute replacement, and Silva went on to knock out Tyron Woodley in the second round.
A third fight between these two legends is long overdue, and it should be an MMA bout, not boxing. Despite Silva's age of 50, he remains an exceptional competitor. While he has focused on boxing, it's hard to imagine him passing up the chance to avenge his stunning TKO losses to Weidman.
Weidman, now 41, may not be the force he once was, but he still has the opportunity to prove his dominance over one of the greatest martial artists of all time, with a massive audience watching on Netflix.
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 3: The Rubber Match
For those who appreciate the classics, a third fight between Lesnar and Mir could be a nostalgic treat. These two have a long history, with Mir catching Lesnar in a kneebar in their first fight at UFC 81 in 2008, and referee Steve Mazzagatti's controversial late stoppage. The rematch at UFC 100 was a landmark event, and their personalities have only grown more intense over time.
Lesnar's fiery nature and Mir's condescending tone would create a perfect storm of storylines leading up to this long-awaited rubber match. It has all the ingredients for a must-watch fight on Netflix.
Nate Diaz vs. Anyone: The Nate Show
MVP and Netflix would be wise to capitalize on the iconic presence of Nate Diaz. His last fight, against Tony Ferguson, showcased all the classic Diaz mannerisms, and MMA fans have been missing his unique style.
Diaz has expressed his readiness to return, naming potential opponents like Conor McGregor (unlikely), Dustin Poirier (retired but still under UFC contract), and Mike Perry (an interesting choice). Perry's feisty persona could create fireworks even before the fight begins.
If Perry isn't available, any worthy opponent will do. How about a rematch with Jorge Masvidal, or a bout with two-time Bellator champion Gegard Mousasi? Even Jake Paul, if his jaw surgery had gone differently, could have made an intriguing MMA debut against the Stockton slapper. The key is to feature "NATE DIAZ" prominently on the marquee and let the fans' excitement do the rest.
These undercard fights are sure to spark debate and discussion. Which matchups would you like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments!
