A New Approach to Fighter Compensation
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, is preparing for its highly anticipated entry into the MMA arena. The organization’s inaugural event, headlined by the return of legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, is set to take place this Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on Netflix.
In a major shift from industry standards, Bidarian revealed that every athlete on the card will receive a minimum purse of $40,000. This figure significantly exceeds the entry-level salary often seen in major organizations like the UFC, which typically offers $12,000 to show and an additional $12,000 for a win.
Performance Bonuses and Revenue Sharing
Beyond the base salary, MVP is implementing a structure centered on performance incentives. According to Bidarian, the company is moving away from the traditional win-loss pay model in favor of a flat-rate system supplemented by tiered performance bonuses. As Bidarian noted, «That's guaranteed, and then every fighter has a performance bonus in addition to that, which there are different levels depending on the fighter.»
Perhaps most significantly, MVP is promising a much larger slice of the financial pie for the athletes. While some major promotions traditionally allocate roughly 16–20% of company revenue toward fighter pay, MVP aims to exceed 50%. Bidarian emphasized the core philosophy behind this decision: «Our objective is not to lose money and obviously make a little bit of money, but it’s really about putting the money back into the pockets of the fighters. They’re the ones risking their lives.»
The Future of MVP MMA
While this Saturday's event functions as a standalone spectacle, the organization has long-term aspirations. Although no formal agreements with Netflix exist for future programming, Bidarian anticipates that successful results this weekend could spark negotiations for a consistent schedule. The goal is to eventually scale up to hosting four to six events annually, with a strategic expansion target set for 2027.
MVP also maintains a clear focus on the women’s fight scene, with potential future matchups already being discussed. Should Rousey or Carano emerge victorious, the promotion sees a dream scenario in a potential clash with Holly Holm. However, Bidarian remains realistic about the matchmaking process, stating, «It’s ultimately up to them, right? Fighters have to want to make the fight happen.»