MVP MMA 1 on Netflix Was a Massive Success And It Could Change Combat Sports Forever

he debut of MVP MMA on Netflix may have officially changed the landscape of combat sports.

Most Valuable Promotions, the company founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, delivered a blockbuster first MMA event with MVP MMA 1: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, and the numbers coming out of the event are impossible to ignore.

According to Netflix and MVP, the historic event peaked at nearly 17 million global viewers, while averaging 12.4 million viewers worldwide across the triple main event. In the United States alone, the event averaged 9.3 million viewers, peaking at 11.6 million for the main event between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. ()

Those numbers reportedly made MVP MMA 1 the most-watched MMA event in United States history, surpassing previous records set during the FOX era of the UFC. ()

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Delivered a Viral Main Event

The main event itself was short, explosive, and unforgettable.

Ronda Rousey returned to MMA after nearly a decade away from the sport and defeated Gina Carano in just 17 seconds with her signature armbar submission. It was vintage Rousey — aggressive, fast, and dominant. ()

The fight instantly became one of the most talked-about moments in combat sports this year. Social media exploded during the broadcast, with #RouseyCarano trending globally on X throughout the night. Netflix reported over 1 billion social impressions connected to the event. ()

For longtime MMA fans, the matchup represented the meeting of two women who helped build women’s MMA into a global attraction. For casual viewers, it was pure spectacle — and Netflix proved once again that it can turn combat sports into mainstream entertainment.

The Rest of the Card Delivered Action

One of the biggest reasons the event succeeded was that the entire card felt important.

Francis Ngannou scored a devastating first-round knockout over Philipe Lins, reminding fans why he remains one of the most feared heavyweight punchers in the world.

Meanwhile, Mike Perry defeated Nate Diaz by TKO after Diaz’s corner stopped the fight before round three. The matchup generated huge fan interest because of the personalities involved and the violent pace of the fight.

The overall presentation felt different from traditional MMA broadcasts. Netflix’s production quality, MVP’s marketing strategy, and the celebrity crossover appeal created an event that reached far beyond hardcore MMA audiences.

Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian Continue to Disrupt Combat Sports

Much of the credit belongs to Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.

Since launching Most Valuable Promotions, the company has consistently delivered major events in boxing while building stars and securing groundbreaking partnerships with Netflix.

Now MVP has entered MMA  and they did it with historic viewership numbers on their first attempt.

Bidarian stated after the event that MVP is exploring long-term opportunities in MMA alongside Netflix, with discussions already happening about the future of the partnership.

That possibility should excite combat sports fans because MVP operates differently from traditional promoters. The company embraces crossover stars, women’s combat sports, storytelling, and modern digital marketing in a way few promotions have managed successfully.

Could Cris Cyborg Fight on Netflix One Day?

One name that could fit the MVP model is Cris Cyborg.

PFL MMA Champion Cyborg remains one of the most accomplished fighters in combat sports history, competing successfully in both MMA and professional boxing, exactly the type of crossover athlete MVP has shown interest in promoting.

Unlike many fighters who stay in one lane, Cris Cyborg continues building momentum in two sports simultaneously. That makes her uniquely valuable for a promotion like MVP, which is actively investing in both boxing and MMA.

A future Cyborg fight on Netflix if Ronda Rousey decided to return for another fight would be HUGE. 

On the boxing side, there are already intriguing opportunities at 154 pounds. Potential matchups against the winner of Elia Carranza vs. Oshae Jones or the winner of Chantelle Cameron vs. Mikaela Mayer would immediately create major interest for MVP’s growing women’s boxing platform.

At the same time, Cyborg’s legacy in MMA means she could also headline or co-headline future Netflix MMA cards under the MVP banner.

That flexibility is exactly what makes MVP dangerous as a promoter moving forward. During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani Nakisa Bidarian revealed he would love to work with various promoters including the PFL, One Championshion, KSW, and more.

Netflix May Have Found Its MMA Formula

The biggest takeaway from MVP MMA 1 is simple: people will watch major MMA events on Netflix.

The combination of recognizable stars, crossover appeal, accessible streaming, and aggressive promotion created a formula that clearly worked. Fans online repeatedly pointed out that Netflix’s accessibility allowed casual viewers to tune in instantly without expensive pay-per-view costs.

For years, combat sports companies have searched for ways to attract younger and more mainstream audiences. MVP and Netflix may have finally cracked the code.

If these numbers continue, more MMA on Netflix feels inevitable.