California’s State Athletic Commission has released the disclosed fighter purses from MVP MMA 1, the debut mixed martial arts event from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The card took place overnight into May 17 in Inglewood, California, and streamed exclusively on Netflix.
Big money was the real story coming out of MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood, California, where Most Valuable Promotions launched its first MMA card on May 17 with Netflix distribution and a payroll that immediately got the industry’s attention. California State Athletic Commission figures show three fighters cleared the $1 million mark, led by Ronda Rousey’s event-high purse after her quick finish of Gina Carano.
Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight champion, needed just 17 seconds to submit Carano in the main event and collected a disclosed $2.2 million. That number stands out in any era of women’s MMA, and it sends a clear message about what MVP is trying to be: a combat-sports disruptor willing to spend for recognizable names and mainstream appeal.
Carano, 44, reportedly earned $1.05 million for her return. The payday was significant on its own, but so was the matchup’s nostalgia factor. For many American fans, this was a throwback to the early popularity boom of women’s MMA, with two of the sport’s most recognizable crossover stars sharing the cage in a high-profile main event.
The co-main event delivered another notable check. Mike Perry stopped Nate Diaz via doctor’s stoppage after the second round and took home $400,000, while Diaz was listed at $500,000. Even in defeat, Diaz’s purse reflected his status as one of the few fighters whose name still carries real pay-per-view and streaming value across combat sports.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also cashed in, scoring a first-round knockout of Felipe Lins and earning $1.5 million. Lins was listed at $100,000. Ngannou’s number may be the most telling of all: MVP appears interested in building cards around proven attractions, not just prospects, and that approach should resonate with a U.S. audience that has grown used to seeing star power drive fight-night economics.
The disclosed CSAC figures cover guaranteed purses only, meaning the final totals could climb higher once bonuses, revenue shares, or private contractual incentives are accounted for. The next question is whether MVP can turn one expensive debut into a sustainable MMA model.
