Face-offs took place for the main participants of the MVP tournament scheduled for May 16. The event features three major bouts including Ronda Rousey (12-2) versus Gina Carano (7-1), Nate Diaz (21-13) versus Mike Perry (14-8), and Francis Ngannou (18-3) versus Felipe Lins (18-5). The staredowns were captured by FightHubTV. This card represents a significant crossover event featuring former UFC stars and other combat sports personalities.
Face-offs were held Wednesday for the main bouts of the upcoming MVP tournament event scheduled for May 16, with FightHubTV capturing the staredowns between six fighters set to headline what is being billed as a major crossover card featuring former UFC stars and other combat sports personalities.
The centerpiece matchup brings together two of the most recognizable women in MMA history. Ronda "Rowdy" Rousey, 39, enters at 12-2 and represents Team Hayastan. Standing five-foot-seven with a 66-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has built her career on relentless grappling pressure, averaging an extraordinary 6.26 takedowns and 4.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Her opponent, Gina "Conviction" Carano, also fighting out of the orthodox stance, carries a 7-1 record at 44 years old and trains out of Xtreme Couture. Carano lands 4.5 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and averages 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The co-feature pits Nate Diaz against Mike Perry. Diaz, 41, representing the Cesar Gracie Fight Team, brings a 22-13 record and a southpaw style that has long frustrated opponents. The Stockton native stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach, landing 4.57 significant strikes per minute at 45 percent accuracy while also mixing in 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Perry's record is listed at 14-8.
The third major bout on the card features heavyweight Francis Ngannou, 18-3, squaring off against Felipe Lins, 18-5.
Why it matters
- Rousey versus Carano is a women's MMA superfight years in the making between two trailblazers of the sport
- Diaz's 76-inch reach and high submission attempt rate will test Perry's durability and grappling defense
- Ngannou's presence adds elite heavyweight star power to a card already loaded with marquee names
- The event signals growing momentum for crossover MMA promotions outside the major organizations
