MVP adds 8 bouts To May 16 MMA Event On Netflix

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix today announced eight additional bouts for the highly anticipated professional MMA blockbuster event taking place Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Joining the card will be France’s Salahdine Parnasse (22-2, 7 submissions, 4 KOs) vs. Kenneth Cross (17-4, 5 submissions, 7 KOs) in a lightweight bout, Brazilian icon and former UFC heavyweight champion Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos (21-10, 1 submission, 15 KOs) vs. Cuba’s Robelis Despaigne (5-2, 5 KOs) in a heavyweight bout, and undefeated Muhammad Mokaev (15-0, 7 submissions, 2 KOs) vs. Adriano Moraes (21-6, 11 submissions, 4 KOs) in a flyweight bout. Also on the card will be Lorenz Larkin (27-8, 15 KOs) vs. former Bellator world champion Jason Jackson (19-6, 4 Submissions, 6 KOs) in a welterweight bout, Namo Fazil (9-1, 3 submissions, 4 KOs) vs. Jake Babian (6-1, 1 submission, 4 KOs) in a welterweight bout, David Mgoyan (8-1, 1 submission, 5 KOs) vs. Albert Morales (19-10, 6 submissions, 9 KOs) in a featherweight bout, Aline Pereira (2-2) vs. Jade Masson-Wong (3-2, 1 KO) in a catchweight bout at 130lbs, and Chris Avila (8-9, 2 submissions, 5 KOs) against a to-be-named opponent.

All eight professional bouts will be contested under the Unified Rules of MMA. The bouts join a stacked card headlined by a double main event featuring combat sports icon Nate Diaz vs. the “King of Violence” Mike Perry and the heavyweight clash between lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou vs. Brazil’s Philippe Lins, culminating with the highly anticipated grand finale between former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey and combat sports trailblazer Gina Carano. The event will stream live globally only on Netflix at no additional cost to its 325+ million members. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

The blockbuster event marks a major moment in combat sports as MVP and Netflix expand their footprint into MMA following the historic success of their global boxing events. Diaz vs. Perry, Ngannou vs. Lins, and Rousey vs. Carano brings together some of the most recognizable and dangerous fighters in the sport and features the most star power ever assembled on a single MMA fight card. The event will also feature the return of MVP’s exclusive VIP experiences, including the MVP Owner’s Experience™. MVP will host a two-part press conference beginning at 5:00pm ET on Wednesday, April 15 at Palladium Theater in New York City. Media can apply for press conference credentials HERE

Salahdine Parnasse grew up in Aubervilliers, France in a modest environment, within a family shaped by his parents’ separation. From a very young age, he found in MMA a way to express himself and channel his energy. At just 11 years old, he walked into his beloved club, H Academy, where his passion began. As a teenager, he led a demanding life, balancing a job at the Aubervilliers town hall with intense training, imposing strict discipline on himself from the age of 17 with multiple sessions a day. At 18, he began competing and quickly made a name for himself at 100% Fight, where he won the title. He then continued his rise internationally before signing with KSW, where he has been competing for 8 years and became a double champion. His journey reflects that of a young man from a working-class background who, through determination and MMA, fights to succeed and provide a better future for his family.

“I have nothing to prove to those who know me… but everything to prove to those who don’t know me yet,” said Salahdine Parnasse. “I’ve built my name in Europe, and now I have the opportunity to represent France on a global stage. Being part of Netflix’s first MMA event makes it even more special. It’s a chance to showcase my skills, my journey, and everything I’ve worked for to a worldwide audience. I’m ready to show a new audience what I’m capable of and prove that I belong among the best in the world.”

Kenneth Cross is a rising lightweight MMA fighter who began wrestling at 14 and transitioned to fighting at 19, quickly building momentum with a 9-0 amateur record and capturing the KOP lightweight title. Cross has since won championships with Tuff-N-Uff, Lights Out, and DWCS. After early professional setbacks, Cross made the pivotal decision to join the very gym that defeated him, sharpening his skill set and mindset. Driven by the loss of his best friend who was tragically killed, Cross is grounded in his faith and committed to inspiring others, aiming to become both a force in the lightweight division and a positive role model for the next generation. He fights out of Las Vegas by way of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“I’m blessed with this opportunity, making history on Netflix,” said Kenneth Cross. “Everyone’s afraid of this guy, but honestly, this is the least worried I’ve ever been for a fight. USA vs France… let’s go.”

Junior dos Santos Almeida, widely known as “Cigano,” is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist from Santa Catarina, Brazil. He competes in the heavyweight division and is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Dos Santos rose to global prominence in 2011 when he defeated Cain Velasquez via first-round knockout (64 seconds) at UFC on Fox 1 to capture the heavyweight title. This performance showcased his elite-level boxing, speed, and precision, qualities that became defining characteristics of his fighting style. Throughout his career, he has faced and competed against some of the most elite fighters in the sport, including Stipe Miocic, Alistair Overeem, and Francis Ngannou. He has consistently been recognized for his striking ability, particularly his clean combinations, timing, and knockout power, with the majority of his victories coming by way of KO/TKO. In addition to his technical abilities, he is known for his resilience and durability, having participated in several high-level, physically demanding bouts. His trilogy with Cain Velasquez remains one of the most notable rivalries in UFC heavyweight history. Beyond his achievements in the cage, Dos Santos is widely respected for his professionalism, humility, and sportsmanship. His personal journey is equally compelling. He rose from modest beginnings in Brazil, working manual labor jobs before pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. As he has stated: “I came from nothing, and everything I achieved was through hard work and belief.” His legacy in MMA is defined not only by his championship accomplishments but also by his consistency at the highest level of the sport and his reputation as one of the most respected heavyweights of his era.

“I’m so excited to be fighting again. Fighting is my greatest motivation, the type of challenge that feeds my soul,” said Junior Dos Santos. “MVP is the type of promotion the fighting world was needing. The possibilities with them are endless, and that inspires the fighters to give the fans what they are wanting to see. As always Brazil and all JDS fans around the world will be well represented on Saturday, May 16th live on Netflix. I can’t wait for it. Let’s go.”

Robelis “The Big Boy” Despaigne is a Cuban mixed martial artist and elite striker who brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and world-class combat sports pedigree to MMA. Standing 6’7” with one of the longest reaches in UFC history, Despaigne first made his mark as a decorated taekwondo competitor, earning a bronze medal at the Olympic Games and becoming a two-time bronze medalist internationally before transitioning into professional fighting. After defecting from Cuba in pursuit of his dream to become a champion in the United States, he continued his rise by capturing a Karate Combat championship and winning a $100,000 one-night tournament with three fights in a single evening. Despaigne burst onto the global MMA scene with a first-round knockout in his UFC debut, instantly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous heavyweight strikers in the sport today.

“Being a part of this legendary card is a phenomenal honor and I want to thank Jake Paul for providing us fighters with more opportunities to showcase our talents on this big of a stage,” said Robelis Despaigne. “There is a reason I was put on this card and I will show everyone tuning in on Netflix exactly why on Saturday, May 16th.”

“This card delivers on MVP’s ethos of building the biggest and most global events in combat sports that are mainstream must-sees while giving hardcore fans fights to feast on,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Cigano is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a Brazilian icon, Salahdine Parnasse is France’s brightest MMA star, Mokaev is one of the best in the sport and Larkin vs Jackson is everything you want in a matchup. Alongside other exciting fighters from around the world, these fights make the card even bigger and reflect the true global scale of the sport. We are continuing to prove that MVP and Netflix can create blockbuster live experiences that bring together fans and fighters from everywhere to create the biggest nights in sport. This is what we do.”

Muhammad Mokaev is widely considered to be the top unsigned Flyweight prospect in

the world. Born in Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia, Mokaev began as a freestyle wrestler but

expanded his martial arts training when he moved to England with his father after his

mother had passed away. He now calls Manchester, England home and represents the

KHK MMA Team. Mokaev was an Amateur MMA World Champion with an impressive 23-0 record before turning professional. His success has continued in the Pro ranks as he has remained unbeaten. He has competed throughout the world in both martial arts and wrestling

competitions. Seven of his most impressive MMA victories came in the Ultimate Fighting

Championship (UFC).

“I am excited to take part in the historic Netflix card, against a tough veteran opponent,” said Muhammad Mokaev. “Respect to all involved, I can’t wait to put on a great performance.”

Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes is a Brazilian mixed martial artist widely recognized as one of the greatest flyweights in the history of the sport. Born in Brasília, Brazil, Moraes rose from humble beginnings to become a dominant force on the global MMA stage. He began his martial arts journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he developed a high-level submission game that would later define his fighting style. Transitioning into mixed martial arts, he quickly gained attention for his well-rounded skill set—combining technical striking with world-class ground control. He made his mark in ONE Championship, where he became a multiple-time ONE Flyweight World Champion. Moraes holds the distinction of being the promotion’s first-ever flyweight champion and has consistently competed against the division’s top contenders. Beyond his accolades, Moraes is respected for his leadership, discipline, and resilience. He has overcome adversity both inside and outside the cage, using his platform to inspire others and represent Brazil at the highest level of combat sports.

“I didn’t come from an easy life, but I chose to turn every struggle into strength,” said Adriano Moraes. “Every time I step into the cage, I carry my story, my faith, and the belief that hard work always pays off.”

Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin is an American professional mixed martial artist from Riverside, California, where he was born and still resides, proud of his Riverside roots. A veteran of Strikeforce, the UFC, and Bellator MMA, Larkin has built a long and respected career in elite competition. Larkin holds a professional record of 27 wins and 8 losses, with 15 victories by knockout, and is known for his powerful striking and versatile fight style. Throughout his career, he’s earned notable wins over high-profile opponents such as Jorge Masvidal, Robbie Lawler, Neil Magny, Santiago Ponzinibbio, John Howard, Andrey Koreshkov, Fernando Gonzalez, and Keita Nakamura. He also earned recent first-round stoppage wins over Levan Chokheli and Alan Dominguez. Larkin’s success across multiple major organizations and weight classes, combined with his longevity and knockout power, make him one of the most respected fighters to emerge from Southern California’s MMA scene ever.

“Super excited for this opportunity,” said Lorenz Larkin. “At first, I can’t lie, I was just a little optimistic to what type of show this was gonna be, but when they told me who my opponent was, I knew they were going for the homerun with this event. This is probably the most competitive match up of my whole career, so yeah I’m excited.“

Jason Jackson is a Jamaican-born professional mixed martial artist and former Bellator Welterweight World Champion. Widely regarded as one of the top welterweights in the world, Jackson captured the Bellator title in 2023 with a knockout victory over previously undefeated champion Yaroslav Amosov. Training out of Kill Cliff FC in South Florida, Jackson continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, bringing a well-rounded skill set and championship pedigree to every fight.

“I’m extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete on such a historic card featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, and to perform on a global stage with the event airing on Netflix,” said Jason Jackson. “MVP is putting together mega events, and being part of their first MMA card is a huge opportunity for me. Lorenz Larkin is a tough, experienced opponent and someone I respect for what he’s done in this sport, but I’m coming to make a statement. Fans can expect an exciting fight, and I plan on stealing the show with a knockout performance.”

Namo Fazil is a rising professional mixed martial artist proudly representing Kurdistan on the global stage. With a professional record of 9–1 and a current 6-fight win streak, he has established himself as one of the most exciting and promising fighters to emerge from the region. Born in Finland and fighting out of Kurdistan, Namo began his martial arts journey at just 15 years old. Since then, he has dedicated his life to combat sports, earning respected victories across major promotions including ONE Championship, UAE Warriors, and the Middle East Fighting Championship.

“I do not fight only for myself. I fight for my people, my roots, and the legacy I carry in my name,” said Namo Fazil. “As the grandson of Salahadin Ayubi, this is bigger than me. This is for every Kurdish child who needs to believe that where they come from is power.”

Jake Babian was born in Waikoloa, Hawaii and fights out of Long Beach, California. He began training in MMA in 2021. As a pro, he holds a 6-1 record, including a 6-second knockout. Growing up in Hawaii, his life revolved around spearfishing, discipline, and learning to push limits early. Fighting started as instinct and turned into obsession, leading to over 100 jiu-jitsu wins and multiple belts, including the California state title and 3 Hawaii Triple Crown BJJ belts, among other accolades. He left family, comfort, the island to chase something bigger in California, working trades while training relentlessly every day. Now Babian is a professional MMA fighter known for pressure, pace, and finishing fights, chasing a world title.

“MVP outdid themselves on this card,” said Jake Babian. “They got the best of the best. Gonna leave it all out there!”

David Mgoyan began training MMA at age 10. He excelled as an amateur, becoming the IMMAF Amateur World Champion. As a pro, he holds a record of 8-1, now fighting out of Miami, Florida by way of Rostov on don, Russia. Mgoyan also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is a purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I’m very grateful to MVP for giving me this opportunity,” said David Mgoyan. “I promise not to disappoint.”

Albert Morales is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt fighting out of Reseda, Los Angeles, California. He began training MMA at age 21 immediately after being released from jail following a one-year sentence. During that time, he missed the birth of his firstborn daughter, an experience that deeply impacted him. Having grown up with his own father in prison, Morales recognized the need to change his life and pursue a different path. He is currently the UNF featherweight champion and has been ranked number one in the United States. Morales also competed in the UFC and Bellator, is a former LXF bantamweight champion, and was the Spar Star amateur bantamweight champion earlier in his career.

“Time to put on for my city,” said Albert Morales. “I’m ready to set off the card with some violence for the world to see, live on Netflix.”

Aline Pereira began fighting in 2015 at 24 years old, encouraged by her brother Alex Pereira. A kickboxing black belt, after just one month of training, she had her first amateur fight and won. In her first kickboxing fight, she became the São Paulo State Kickboxing amateur champion. She then competed in several additional amateur championships, becoming Brazilian Kickboxing national champion. She made her pro debut in 2017, debuting in WGP Kickboxing and winning the championship before signing with Glory Kickboxing in 2019 where she contended for the title. Following her brother’s transition to MMA, she moved to the United States with him to continue training alongside him, now in MMA. She signed with LFA in 2022 and also is currently the reigning Karate Combat champion.

“I believe it’s going to be a very aggressive fight since my opponent also comes from a striking background, and I promise to put on an excellent performance,” said Aline Pereira. “MVP is staging one of the biggest combat sports events ever, and to be on a card of this level, I feel truly honored.”

Jade Masson-Wong is a French-Canadian fighter from Quebec City, Canada, fighting out of Miami, Florida. She began training in MMA at age 18, looking for a new challenge, and has 10 years of MMA experience and 6 years of experience in bare knuckle boxing. She won two 2 MMA belts as an amateur, was the first woman to do bare knuckle boxing in Canada and became the #1 contender for the belt in the world.

“I’m proud to be part of MVP MMA, but I didn’t come here to play it safe,” said Jade Masson-Wong. “On fight night, I’m going to war, and I’m ready for everything that comes with it. My favorite color is red blood.”

Chris Avila is a seasoned combat sports veteran who has competed for the UFC, Bellator, Real Fight Inc., MVP, and Misfits. Splitting his time between MMA and boxing, Avila has fought around the globe and enters his next MMA appearance having won five of his last six boxing matches. A Cesar Gracie purple belt, Avila trains alongside Nate Diaz in Stockton, California. He returns to the cage on May 16 at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, where he’ll put his full arsenal on display live on Netflix.

“Time for a real fight and I’m coming to put on,” said Chris Avila.

Additional information, including additional bouts, will be announced in the coming weeks.

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