MVP Rousey vs. Carano: 3 Critical Questions for the Netflix MMA Event
For the first time ever, professional MMA will air live on Netflix this Saturday night as Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey (12-2) matches up against fellow women’s MMA pioneer, Gina Carano (7-1). The two will headline the inaugural MVP MMA Rousey vs. Carano being held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Co-founders Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul have had success on the streaming platform previously, but this event could be a catalyst in the MMA industry. The return of Ronda Rousey largely creates the intrigue surrounding the event. It’s been nearly 10 years since she’s competed in MMA. As for Carano, it’ll be nearly 17 years since she's competed. This leads me into one of the bigger questions surrounding this event entirely.
1. Can Rousey still move the needle?
The rise of Ronda Rousey performing on the undercard of Strikeforce Challengers to headlining UFC pay per views was unlike anything the sport has ever seen. However, her departure from the UFC after her TKO loss to Amanda Nunes back at UFC 207 still resonates. Rousey has always been bold and brash, but the silence in defeat created animosity with the fanbase.
Carano is the perfect B-side for Ronda’s comeback fight. She’s marketable, she’s reserved, and she has some of the casual audience due to her career as an actress. The strong supporting cast of Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou will give Rousey the benefit of a star studded lineup on the main card as well. It can’t be overstated enough, the power of fighting on Netflix opposed to traditional Pay-Per-View will certainly benefit the California Native, maybe even at an historic level.
2. What’s next for Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz?
Stockton’s own Nate Diaz still expresses his desire to continue his MMA career after his bout with “Platinum” Mike Perry. Perry has had incredible success post UFC, but both of these fighters are the type that will draw fans win or lose. There’s still plenty of options for Diaz, and a UFC return still feels on the table.
As for Francis Ngannou, he’s the lineal heavyweight champion and arguably still the best heavyweight in the world. If Ngannou runs through Felipe Lins like the betting odds predict, Ngannou still will remain on the outside looking in. The UFC is unlikely to offer Ngannou a return, but a boxing bout with Deontay Wilder or even a potential rematch with former champion Junior Dos Santos could be in play.
3. Is MVP MMA here to stay?
There’s an argument to be made that the UFC hasn’t had a real competitor in the North American market since the days of Strikeforce. Bellator was never able to replicate what Strikeforce did, but they were the the closest thing. The PFL is going through a transition that appears to be on the right track, but is still trying to recover from mistakes from the previous regime. No promotion is going to be able to go head-to-head with the UFC, but if MVP can offer an alternative, then we’re on to something.
This event is fun. It’s different from the status quo we’ve seen in the sport. It’s something new and should be enjoyed for what it is. Former champions like Rousey and Ngannou combined with a potential future star in Salahdine Parnasse, give the main card nostalgia, but also provide a glimpse of the past and present.
