Joe Rogan, a prominent voice in the mixed martial arts community, recently shared his estimations regarding the potential earnings for fighters participating in the upcoming Netflix MMA event, backed by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). He suggested that Nate Diaz could earn upwards of $10 million, while Francis Ngannou’s deal might even reach an impressive $20 million.
Rogan’s Pay Speculation
During a UFC London Fight Companion stream, Rogan reacted to circulating rumors about financial figures associated with the Netflix–MVP card. Based on these reports, he outlined what top-tier fighters might be taking home. Rogan stated that if the rumors surrounding Diaz’s involvement are accurate, the former UFC star could command “more than 10” million dollars. He then added that Ngannou “has got to be 20,” attributing this to Ngannou’s standing as the lineal heavyweight champion who departed the UFC without ever losing his belt in the cage, thus maintaining significant leverage in negotiations.
Netflix Card Structure and Stakes
This highly anticipated event marks Netflix’s first live mixed martial arts broadcast, scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, the show will stream live to Netflix’s vast subscriber base of over 325 million worldwide at no extra cost beyond a regular subscription. This innovative approach signifies a strategic shift from traditional pay-per-view models towards maximizing global reach and brand exposure for the sport.
The fight card is anchored by three marquee matchups: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano in the main event, Francis Ngannou vs. 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Philipe Lins, and Nate Diaz vs. “Platinum” Mike Perry in a five-round welterweight bout conducted under the Unified Rules of MMA.
Nate Diaz’s Return and UFC Talks
For Nate Diaz, his bout against Mike Perry will be his first MMA appearance since he fought out his UFC contract in 2022. Following his UFC exit, Diaz ventured into boxing, where he secured a 1–1 record, including a win over Jorge Masvidal and a decision loss to Jake Paul. Current sports betting odds list Diaz as approximately a +175 underdog against Perry, who is near -225, reflecting Perry’s more recent activity and success in both MMA and bare-knuckle fighting. UFC President Dana White recently disclosed at the UFC London post-fight press conference that he met with Diaz “a couple of weeks ago” to discuss a potential UFC comeback. However, White believes that MVP and Netflix presented Diaz with “an offer he couldn’t refuse,” expressing happiness for Diaz while leaving the door open for a future reunion depending on the outcome of the Perry fight.
Francis Ngannou’s Leverage and MVP’s Intent
Ngannou’s prominent placement on the Netflix card continues his strategic approach of testing free agency after his departure from the UFC and subsequent landmark deal with the PFL, which afforded him the flexibility to pursue boxing and other lucrative opportunities. Rogan’s comments about a potential $20 million purse fuel ongoing debates over fighter pay in MMA and highlight how a major streaming giant partnering with an agile promoter like MVP can create a unique market where established names gain significant leverage against long-standing organizations.
With Netflix executives publicly framing the May 16 event as a statement piece and MVP promising further announcements, the star-studded lineup featuring Rousey, Carano, Diaz, Perry, and Ngannou suggests this is intended as a high-visibility test case. The outcome will help determine whether mixed martial arts can truly thrive on a subscription-based platform supported by global scale, rather than relying solely on traditional pay-per-view buys.