The Stockton slapper returns to his natural habitat, and it’s about bloody time. Nate Diaz’s MMA return will see him step back into the cage for the first time in nearly four years when he scraps with bare knuckle royalty Michael “Platinum” Perry in a five-round welterweight war on 16th May at Most Valuable Promotions’ Netflix spectacular.
Nate Diaz MMA Return Against Bare Knuckle Royalty
This isn’t just any comeback fight – Diaz is walking straight into fire against BKFC’s self-proclaimed “King of Violence” as part of MVP’s maiden MMA venture at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the card reads like a combat sports fever dream with Ronda Rousey facing Gina Carano in the main event and Francis Ngannou battling Philipe Lins in heavyweight madness.
At 40 years old, Diaz hasn’t thrown leather in the cage since dismantling Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 back in September 2022. Meanwhile, the Stockton native has been busy trading punches in boxing rings – dropping a decision to Jake Paul in 2023 before bouncing back with a majority decision victory over Jorge Masvidal last year.
Stockton Legend’s Cage Legacy
However, make no mistake – this is where Diaz built his legend. The man who choked out Conor McGregor in their epic 2016 rematch went to war with the Notorious Irishman twice, steamrolled Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone in his prime. Most importantly, even his losing effort against Masvidal for the UFC’s BMF title in 2019 was pure theatre.
“Glad to be in action. It’s time,” Diaz declared. “Don’t forget where this all came from. I got plans on doing a lot more in the next 10 years, no matter where it is.”
Perry’s Violence-Fuelled Challenge
Consequently, Perry brings his own brand of violence to this scrap. The former UFC welterweight went 14-8 in mixed martial arts before becoming bare knuckle boxing’s biggest star. In addition, his 6-0 BKFC record includes scalps of Michael “Venom” Page, Jeremy Stephens, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez – proper names that built his “King of Violence” crown.
“The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the f–king face,” Perry promised. “Saturday, May 16th, on Netflix, Nate Diaz is going lights out.”
Five rounds in a hexagon cage under Unified Rules – this is going to be absolute carnage from the opening bell.
