‘Superman’ Jake Paul Takes Credit as New MMA Promotion Secures $60 Million Funding Following Netflix MMA

After the first MVP MMA card's success, Jake Paul took credit for helping a new MMA promotion after they secured funding worth $60 million.

‘Superman’ Jake Paul Takes Credit as New MMA Promotion Secures $60 Million Funding Following Netflix MMA

Jake Paul takes credit for helping new MMA promotion [via Bleacher Report]

In Short
  • Scott Coker announces a new MMA promotion with $60 million in funding from high-profile investors.
  • Jake Paul publicly predicts the failure of Coker's promotion while promoting his own venture, MVP MMA.
  • MVP MMA's inaugural card achieved a peak viewership of 17 million on Netflix, surpassing previous MMA records.

Former head of Bellator and Strikeforce MMA, Scott Coker, is back in business. The veteran promoter announced that he will be joined by Peter Levin of Griffin Gaming Partners, a former Strikeforce investor, in establishing a new fight league. He revealed that they had already secured some heavy funding for this upcoming venture, which prompted influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul to interject with his ‘help.’

Coker cites an “incredible demand” for a new global MMA brand as the reason behind his return to promoting MMA fights. This upcoming MMA venture has drawn investments totalling $60 million from high-profile investors like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, among others. That said, the name and other details about this new endeavor are yet to be revealed.

Following this announcement, hot off the heels of hosting his first-ever MMA card as a promoter under the MVP banner, Paul took to social media to predict the failure of Scott Coker’s new promotion. He put up a post on X dissuading investors in this new league. ‘El Gallo De Dorado’ even heaped praise on himself for lending his ‘help’ to the investors.

Need to see the investors backing this and let them know that they gonna lose all their money – I feel like Superman trying to help them. Wow Jake such a good guy.

Jake Paul via X

Back in 2022, speculation emerged about a possible collaboration between Paul and Coker. The former Bellator executive revealed he was impressed by the Paul brothers’ work ethic and even hinted at bringing in the former Disney star and his older brother into his promotion one day.

But things didn’t pan out as the younger Paul brother signed with the PFL. That deal ended earlier this year with 0 appearances from the ‘Problem Child’ in a PFL cage.

It appears that the former content creator is using his newly gained expertise as an MMA promoter to discourage Scott Coker’s plans. Although this may also be an attempt to go after his future competitors following the confirmation of MVP MMA’s future.

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Jake Paul reveals inaugural MVP MMA card recorded 17 million peak viewers as fellow co-founder confirms future

During the promotion for the inaugural MVP MMA card, headliner Ronda Rousey had revealed that she was looking to break the MMA viewership record with her comeback fight. The record was set at 8.8 million by the first-ever UFC on Fox card back in 2011, headlined by Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. The recent MVP card beat that number and then some.

Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with MVP MMA headliners, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano [via ESPN]

The card, headlined by Rousey and Gina Carano, saw a viewership peak of 17 million on Netflix last weekend. According to MVP, their card drew an average of 12 million viewers during its broadcast. The event also reportedly generated a $2.2 million live gate. Jake Paul released these numbers on X, while praising his own promotion in the caption.

MVP MMA was incredible. Put it in perspective…how did XFL do compared to the NFL? What we did here is unprecedented and great for the sport. Congrats to all. More to come…

Jake Paul via X

Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian told ESPN that MVP MMA had drawn interest from investors, potential partners, and even fighters for future events.

We’ve received an overwhelming amount of interest from investors, strategic partners, and fighters who want to be involved with MVP and the future of MVP MMA. We are currently reviewing all strategic options to do something very meaningful within MMA on a go-forward basis with a distribution partner like Netflix that shares our vision to create lasting impact.

Nakisa Bidarian via MVP MMA press release

The success of this inaugural card, with more events to come, means MVP MMA may just become the legitimate UFC competitor that Ronda Rousey wants it to be. However, with former high roller Scott Coker making a comeback in promoting MMA fights, the competition may be more fierce than ever for Jake Paul and his partners.

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