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Nate Diaz says UFC offered more than his reported $10m deal with MVP

Originally posted on HITC | By Filipe Guedes | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 3:48 PM ET

Nate Diaz’s next move has drawn significant attention as the veteran continues to operate outside the UFC.

Talks of a potential UFC return gained momentum when plans for a White House card emerged, with the Stockton native reportedly involved in discussions with the promotion.

However, a week after the UFC Freedom 250 card was announced, Diaz chose to sign with Most Valuable Promotions.

He joined a high-profile card headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, where he will face Mike Perry on 16 May.

Nate Diaz explains why he rejected bigger UFC offers for his MMA return

Appearing on the This Past Weeknd with Theo Von podcast, Diaz outlined why he turned down a return to the UFC, despite receiving more lucrative offers than the one he accepted from Jake Paul’s MVP.

“I wanted to go back to the UFC. I had bigger offers from the UFC than I got from these guys [MVP]. But the opponents weren’t the right opponents at the moment, and I believe everything in this fight game is about timing,” he said this Tuesday.

His decision comes despite Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub suggesting he will earn around $10 million for his fight with Mike Perry under the MVP banner.

Diaz also made it clear that financial terms were not the deciding factor, pointing instead to the importance of facing the right competition.

He added: “I think that if I went to the UFC, I wouldn’t have been fighting the fighters that I want to be fighting. I want to fight the best of the best.”

His choice reflects a broader shift in combat sports, where fighters increasingly explore opportunities outside traditional organisations.

With the Netflix-backed event set to bring significant visibility, Diaz’s move positions him at the centre of another major moment in the sport.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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