Joe Rogan believes the upcoming Netflix MMA event backed by Most Valuable Promotions is operating at a financial level that could see Nate Diaz clear more than eight figures and Francis Ngannou touch the $20 million mark.
Joe Rogan’s pay speculation
During a UFC London Fight Companion stream, Joe Rogan reacted to rumored figures attached to the Netflix–MVP card and used those reports to sketch out what the top names might be earning.
Rogan said that “if all the rumors” about Diaz are accurate, the former UFC star could be making “more than 10” million dollars, before adding that Ngannou “has got to be 20” given his status as lineal heavyweight champion who never lost his UFC belt in the cage and simply exited the promotion. Rogan framed Ngannou’s position as a former UFC titleholder who walked away at the peak of his run as a key reason his purse.
Netflix card structure and stakes
The event in question is Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast, scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Netflix has confirmed that the show will stream live to its more than 325 million subscribers at no extra cost beyond a regular subscription, shifting the business model away from traditional pay‑per‑view and toward mass reach and brand exposure.
The card is anchored by a three-fight marquee: 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 under the Unified Rules of MMA.
Nate Diaz’s return and UFC talks
For Diaz, Perry marks his first MMA appearance since he fought out his UFC contract in 2022 and moved into boxing, where he went 1–1 with a win over Jorge Masvidal and a decision loss to Jake Paul. Sportsbooks currently list Diaz around a +175 underdog against Perry, who sits near -225, reflecting the Floridian’s recent activity and success under MMA and bare‑knuckle rules.
Dana White revealed at the UFC London post‑fight press conference that Diaz met him “a couple of weeks ago” to discuss a potential UFC comeback, but he believes MVP and Netflix came in with “an offer he couldn’t refuse,” and stressed he is “happy for him” while leaving the door open for a future reunion depending on how the Perry fight goes.
Francis Ngannou’s leverage and MVP’s intent
Ngannou’s placement on the Netflix card continues the heavyweight’s strategy of testing free agency after parting ways with the UFC and signing a landmark deal with the PFL that allowed him to box and negotiate outside opportunities. Rogan’s comments about a potential $20 million purse tap into long-running debates over fighter pay and highlight how a streaming giant partnering with a nimble promoter like MVP can create a one‑off market where established names gain leverage against legacy organizations.
With Netflix executives publicly calling the May 16 show a statement piece and MVP promising further announcements, the combination of Rousey, Carano, Diaz, Perry and Ngannou suggests this is intended as a high‑visibility test case for whether MMA can thrive on a subscription platform supported by global scale rather than pay‑per‑view buys.
