Nate Diaz snubbed UFC for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions despite more ‘lucrative’ offer

Nate Diaz signed for Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) despite a better offer from the UFC.

That’s according to MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, who has told talkSPORT.com that he is proud Diaz realised the Netflix show he now finds himself on is a ‘monumental moment’ for MMA.

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Diaz makes his return to MMA on the undercard of Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano to fight Mike Perry on May 16, having shockingly joined the promotion earlier this month.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the combat world, considering Diaz is now technically working for former rival Jake Paul, Bidarian’s partner at MVP.

It was originally expected that the 40-year-old would make a comeback in the UFC, with many MMA fans dreaming of a trilogy against Conor McGregor on the promotion’s White House bill.

UFC CEO Dana White revealed this month that he held talks with Diaz about a return, but said ‘The Stockton Slugger’ received an ‘offer he couldn’t refuse.’

However, Bidarian has now shared insight into how negotiations played out with the MMA legend.

Contrary to popular belief, it seems like Diaz’s deal with MVP was actually less than what was on offer from the UFC.

Diaz rejected higher UFC offer to join MVP

“The only one that took a bit of time was Nate Diaz,” Bidarian explained when asked about the process of getting such big names on the Rousey vs Carano card.

“And I think the reason that took time is he was meeting with the UFC and was considering fighting for them. 

“So the fact that he chose us in this opportunity kind of speaks to the significance of this event, right?

“And you have to imagine if you’re Nate Diaz, coming to fight with MVP, with Jake Paul, it’s probably not high on your list, you’re like, ‘F that dude. I’m not fighting in his organisation.’

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“But I’m actually proud of Nate that he saw beyond that and realised this is a monumental moment for the sport of mixed martial arts to make a statement that fighters outside of the UFC can put on a massive event, draw global eyeballs, and hopefully turn this into a regular occurrence.”

Responding to White’s comments about Diaz’s offer from MVP, Bidarian added: “I will say that the offer that he had from us was not as lucrative as the offer he had from the UFC.

“I think ultimately, for whatever reason, he decided to come and fight with MVP and Netflix; his decision, I can’t speak to it.”

Netflix card ‘a thank you to MMA fans’

When MVP’s Netflix show was first announced, some fans criticised the promotion for using names past their prime.

However, the card now features exciting talents like Muhammad Mokaev, who was undefeated when he was cut from the UFC, and former KSW double champion Salahdine Parnasse.

“It’s not at all an F you to the UFC,” Bidarian said when asked about the thought process behind putting the more unknown names on the card.

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“It’s more of a thank you to MMA fans and showing them that it’s not just about the big bold names that get the mainstream attention, but also trying to bring value to the hardcore MMA fan base that wants to see some of that top talent compete. 

“There’s obviously criticism that Ronda and Gina are not at the prime of their career, Nate Diaz is not at the prime of his career, UFC wouldn’t give us that garbage. 

“Well, the truth is, Nate Diaz was in discussions with the UFC to go fight there, UFC was looking at putting on Ronda and Gina.

“And then we’ve tried to fill out the rest of the card. Francis Ngannou is the best heavyweight in the world, in UFC or not.

“And the rest of the card is a mix of exciting matchups. There are some throwbacks like JDS.

“There are some really young fighters, too, who are getting an opportunity to display their skills on the world stage.

Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano

Full Netflix card

• MAIN EVENT: Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano – Women’s Featherweight
• Francis Ngannou vs Philipe Lins – Heavyweight
• Nate Diaz vs Mike Perry – Welterweight
• Salahdine Parnasse vs Kenny Cross – Lightweight
• Junior dos Santos vs Robelis Despaigne – Heavyweight
• Muhammad Mokaev vs Adriano Moraes – Flyweight
• Lorenz Larkin vs Jason Jackson – Welterweight
• Namo Fazil vs Jake Babian – Welterweight
• David Mgoyan vs Albert Morales – Featherweight
• Aline Pereira vs Jade Masson-Wong – Women’s Catchweight (130lbs)
• Chris Avila vs Brandon Jenkins – Catchweight (165lbs)

“And Mokaev is a perfect example of someone who’s not a super young fighter, but is one of the best in the world. And the same for Salahdine.”

Diaz has since confirmed that his offer from the UFC was higher than MVP’s during a conversation with Theo Von.

The American believes the promotion would book him to face McGregor if he returned, but says he wants to fight those still at the peak of their powers.

Diaz hasn’t fought since UFC 279 in 2022, but teased a comeback several times in the last year.

Having contested two boxing bouts against Paul and Jorge Masvidal, the 40-year-old was also linked to White’s new Zuffa Boxing league, although the latter has been openly against bringing UFC fighters to the ring.

Bidarian: Zuffa Boxing has no reputation yet

With MVP making its debut in the UK this weekend through Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper, Bidarian was asked if he sees Zuffa Boxing as a threat to his promotion.

Although he views Zuffa Boxing as a ‘force to be reckoned with’ in the future, Bidarian believes the promotion has some work to do to become relevant.

“I think [Zuffa Boxing] will set up a structure that’s similar to the UFC,” Bidarian told Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs on talkSPORT on Tuesday.

“And the question becomes, can they either acquire or develop a roster of talent that, by fans, is viewed as the best in the world.

“What makes the UFC belt relevant is that fans generally believe those are the best fighters fighting for that title.

“The sanctioning bodies today and the promoters within the space, on the men’s side, and the women’s side with ourselves, have the best fighters in the world.

“Today, if MVPW, our women’s division, wanted to create its own belt, you could say it’s legitimate because the fighters are generally top 10 ranked across the board.

“Zuffa doesn’t have that yet, so they’re gonna have to develop that to make that belt have meaning.

“That’s the only question from me is how long that takes for it to be the case.”

UFC Schedule

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