Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano was the first live MMA event to ever feature on Netflix.
It may also be the last for quite some time.
Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) intended to disrupt the MMA world with their collaboration with the streaming giant, but Netflix has fallen on hard times. Its stock price has dropped almost 30% in the last six months, prompting layoffs and overall corporate restructuring. Unfortunately, MVP MMA may end up on the cutting room floor as a result.
Per combat sports insider Blake Avignon, Netflix is unlikely to host another MVP MMA event barring a main event like Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones, which is currently impossible due to “Bones” continued UFC contract. Without that level of a marquee main event to sell, Netflix is no longer interested.
Perhaps Jake Paul’s MMA debut would qualify? There aren’t many other options that could generate that kind of buzz.
This news does not mean that MVP will never hold another MMA event, as there are plenty of other streaming platforms and potential pay-per-view (PPV) options. It’s a definite blow to the promotion, however, as the Netflix partnership was a major advantage in helping MVP carve out space in the US MMA scene. It’s a little surprising as well, since the inaugural Rousey vs. Carano event produced such strong numbers.