Face-off staredowns have taken place for the main card participants of the MVP event scheduled for May 16th. The card features three major matchups: 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 staredown footage captures the pre-fight tension between these high-profile athletes. This event marks significant comeback fights for several legendary combat sports figures.
Face-off staredowns have been held for the main card of the MVP event set for May 16, with footage capturing the pre-fight tension between six combat sports figures headlined by Ronda Rousey taking on Gina Carano.
Rousey, nicknamed "Rowdy," enters at 12-2 and stands five-foot-seven with a 66-inch reach. The 39-year-old American trains out of Team Hayastan and has built her career on relentless grappling pressure, averaging 6.26 takedowns and 4.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. She also connects at a 52 percent striking accuracy, among the higher marks in women's combat sports.
Carano, known as "Conviction," brings a 7-1 record into the fight. The 44-year-old, who trains at Xtreme Couture, stands five-foot-eight and carries her own well-rounded skill set, landing 4.5 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy while averaging 1.24 takedowns and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
The co-main and undercard bouts add further star power. Nate Diaz, the 41-year-old Stockton southpaw fighting out of Cesar Gracie Fight Team, holds a 22-13 record and brings a six-foot frame and a 76-inch reach to his matchup with Mike Perry. Diaz averages 4.57 significant strikes per minute and 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a reflection of his dangerous combination of volume striking and jiu-jitsu. Francis Ngannou, 18-3, rounds out the card opposite Felipe Lins at 18-5.
Why it matters
- The Rousey-Carano matchup pairs two of the most recognizable names in women's combat sports history
- Diaz versus Perry pits a high-volume striker and submission threat against a durable, aggressive opponent
- Ngannou-Lins adds heavyweight knockout potential to an already high-profile card
- Staredown footage signals the event is progressing on schedule toward its May 16 date
