MVP's Bidarian Says Four Opponents in Talks for Jake Paul's Return

Most Valuable Promotions co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian addressed on Thursday, October 22, the rumors that the company's partnership with Netflix had run its course, confirming that MVP is in negotiations with four possible opponents for Jake Paul.

"Jake Paul update: We are actively negotiating with 4 potential opponents for Jake's return to boxing in late 2026/ early 2027," Bidarian wrote on X. "Based on the opponent we will determine the location and distribution."

Four Netflix events, then an executive shake-up

The streaming service has carried four MVP shows so far. The run opened with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November 2024 and continued with the third Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano bout, Paul's fight with Anthony Joshua and, under the MVP MMA banner, Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

The doubts surfaced after quarterly reports showing slower growth worried investors and Netflix fired half of its executives. Many of the senior people MVP dealt with have left the company, and insiders say the promotion's access to the platform is now at risk. Other reports point the opposite way, saying Netflix plans to add more sports and special one-off events, while its new content chiefs have been in their roles only a few days.

Netflix has never been MVP's only outlet. The company has also staged events with DAZN, ESPN and Sky Sports. Bidarian himself is a former UFC executive who oversaw the promotion's sale to IMG/Endeavor in 2016.

Paul, for his part, recently named Canelo Alvarez, Francis Ngannou and Conor McGregor as the opponents he wants to face. Of those three, Ngannou is the only one who appears interested in the fight.

Source: MMA Mania