Mike Perry emerged victorious over Nate Diaz by corner stoppage in the welterweight co-main event of Saturday's MVP MMA1: Rousey vs. Carano card. The bout marked both fighters' return to mixed martial arts after extended absences from the sport. Perry, known as the "King of Violence" in Bare Knuckle Fight Championship, last competed in MMA in April 2021.
Diaz, who created the UFC's BMF belt, struggled to find his rhythm against Perry's aggressive pressure. The corner stoppage ended the fight decisively, though the specific round and time were not disclosed in available reports. The event itself was billed as a major crossover spectacle mixing MMA legends with combat sports personalities.
This victory represents a significant turnaround for Perry, who had focused on bare-knuckle boxing since his last MMA appearance over three years ago. The win reestablishes him as a relevant contender in the welterweight division, while the loss raises questions about Diaz's future trajectory at 39 years old.
For Diaz, the defeat adds uncertainty to his comeback timeline, as he had not competed in MMA since leaving the UFC after his 2022 contract expiration. The bout's placement as a co-main event suggests continued interest from promoters in pairing Diaz with high-profile opponents, but his performance may temper expectations for future bookings.
Some observers noted that Diaz's extended layoff may have been a factor, as ring rust often impacts returning fighters regardless of experience level. Counter arguments suggest that Perry's relentless pace and power would have challenged any version of Diaz on Saturday.