Nearly four years after stepping out of the cage, former UFC superstar Nate Diaz is set to return to MMA against bare-knuckle sensation Mike Perry.
The comeback is confirmed by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), who announced on Monday, March 16 that Diaz and Perry will face each other in a five-round welterweight bout.
Their bout is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, serving as the third blockbuster attraction at MVP’s first MMA event.
Netflix is set to stream the showdown live, along with the historic return of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and a heavyweight tilt between Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins.
The 40-year-old American mixed martial artist and professional boxer has not competed in MMA since submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022.
The Stockton, CA native, best known for his epic feud with Conor McGregor, has also dipped his toes into boxing, losing by decision to Jake Paul in 2023 before claiming an old score with a majority decision win over Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
Diaz said in a statement: “Happy to be back in action. It’s about time. Don’t forget where it all came from. I plan to do a lot more in the next 10 years, wherever that is. Time to set the bar again.”
