MVP MMA 1: Ranking the fights by entertainment potential

The first Most Valuable Promotions card, headlined by the matchup between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, features a lineup of fighters whose names carry significant historical weight in mixed martial arts. While the main event provides the primary draw, the supporting card includes several notable competitors, though many have been away from active competition for extended periods.

Rousey and Carano represent legendary status in women's MMA, both having achieved remarkable success during their competitive peaks. Their clash on Netflix will draw considerable mainstream attention to MVP's inaugural event, capitalizing on their name recognition and accomplishments. However, the supporting cast reveals a broader trend in the promotion's early direction.

Francis Ngannou, one of the most accomplished heavyweight fighters in history, headlines another significant bout despite being nearly 40 years old. Ngannou departed the UFC as heavyweight champion in 2022 but has competed in only one MMA fight since leaving the organization, indicating his competitive schedule has been limited during his time away. Similarly, Nate Diaz, now 41, last competed in an MMA bout in 2022, meaning he too will be returning after multiple years of inactivity. Junior Dos Santos, another former UFC heavyweight champion at 42 years old, brings even deeper historical roots to the card, though his recent competitive activity has been minimal.

The MVP 1 card ultimately represents a celebration of MMA's accomplished veterans, many of whom competed in earlier eras of the sport. While their names carry prestige and draw historical interest, the prevalence of older, less-recently-active fighters across the lineup reflects the promotion's strategy of leveraging established names to build its brand during its debut event.