Most Valuable Promotions
An American boxing and mixed martial arts promotion company focused on live events, athlete management, and commercially prominent combat-sports matchups.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Most Valuable Promotions, commonly abbreviated as MVP, is an American combat-sports promotion company established in 2021 by professional boxer and media personality Jake Paul and his adviser Nakisa Bidarian. The company operates primarily in boxing, while also identifying mixed martial arts as part of its broader promotional scope. Its activities combine event promotion, fighter contracting and management, media distribution, and the creation of high-profile matchups designed to reach audiences beyond the traditional boxing market. MVP initially gained attention through its signing of Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano, a seven-division world champion and one of the most accomplished women in boxing. Serrano became central to the company's effort to build a substantial women's boxing roster and to position women's bouts as headline attractions rather than secondary-card features. MVP's most consequential early project was its partnership with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing to promote Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden in 2022. Billed as “For History,” the contest was the first women's boxing match to headline the venue. International coverage characterized it as one of the biggest women's fights in boxing history, and the event received Fight of the Year recognition from Sports Illustrated and Event of the Year recognition from The Ring. The company expanded its event model in 2023 through “Most Valuable Prospects,” a series developed with DAZN to showcase emerging fighters on non-pay-per-view cards. The inaugural event took place in Orlando, Florida, with Ashton Sylve versus Adam Kipenga as the main event. This initiative indicated that MVP was not solely dependent on celebrity or championship events; it also sought to develop a pipeline of younger athletes and provide them with recurring broadcast exposure. MVP's profile increased substantially in 2024 when it promoted Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson with Netflix. Staged at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the bout was distributed as a major streaming event and ended with Paul's unanimous-decision victory. The fight attracted extensive international attention, in part because of the 31-year age gap between the competitors and in part because some Netflix viewers reported buffering and access problems. The card also included a rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for multiple women's light-welterweight titles. Taylor won by unanimous decision. Post-fight debate included Serrano's initial accusation that Taylor had intentionally headbutted her; Serrano later withdrew the claim, while Taylor described the bout as an exceptionally physical contest. In 2025, MVP continued to strengthen its women's boxing platform. Serrano signed a lifetime agreement with the company in March, with a future role as chairwoman and responsibility connected to MVP's women's boxing initiatives. Alycia Baumgardner joined the promotion in March, and Ellie Scotney joined in April, expanding a roster that also included Shadasia Green. MVP promoted the third Taylor-Serrano bout at Madison Square Garden in July 2025. The company also drew criticism after releasing Ashton Sylve in August following his knockout loss to Lucas Bahdi; Sylve publicly questioned the way the termination was handled. Later in 2025, MVP was announced as the promoter of Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua, scheduled for December 19 in Miami and intended for Netflix distribution. The company's business identity rests on combining conventional boxing promotion with creator-led marketing, streaming partnerships, athlete storytelling, and commercially distinctive matchups. Its best-known properties have emphasized women's boxing, crossover audiences, and events capable of functioning simultaneously as sports competitions and major media occasions. Reference material also describes a 2026 merger with the Professional Fighters League, under which the combined organization would operate under the MVP banner, with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian leading the business and John Martin serving as chief executive. Because that transaction is described as a future or later development in the available material, its final corporate structure should be independently verified.
History
Most Valuable Promotions was founded in 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. Paul brought a profile built through digital media and professional boxing, while Bidarian served as his adviser and business partner. From the outset, MVP pursued a hybrid promotional model: it organized boxing events, developed fighter relationships, managed athletes, and used social-media and streaming distribution to reach audiences beyond established boxing fans. The company's first reported signing was Amanda Serrano, a Puerto Rican boxer and seven-division world champion. Serrano's recruitment gave MVP an elite athlete around whom it could build a women's boxing strategy. The promotion's most important early event was the 2022 Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano fight, jointly promoted with Matchroom Boxing. The bout was staged at Madison Square Garden and became the first women's boxing contest to headline the arena. Its success was treated by broadcasters and international news organizations as a landmark for women's boxing. The contest also received major year-end recognition, including Sports Illustrated's Fight of the Year and The Ring's Event of the Year. MVP subsequently broadened its business beyond established champions and marquee celebrity bouts. In 2023, it and DAZN introduced Most Valuable Prospects, a series designed to place developing boxers in headline positions on regular, non-pay-per-view broadcasts. The first edition was held at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida, where Ashton Sylve defeated Adam Kipenga by unanimous decision. The series represented a talent-development function for MVP and a way to build repeatable programming rather than rely only on occasional blockbuster events. In 2024, MVP promoted Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson in cooperation with Netflix. The event took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Paul won by unanimous decision. It generated extensive attention because it paired a young influencer-boxer with a much older former heavyweight champion. The broadcast also produced complaints from some viewers about buffering and access problems. The undercard included the second Taylor-Serrano contest, a title fight in which Katie Taylor defeated Serrano by unanimous decision. Serrano initially alleged that Taylor had intentionally used headbutts, after Taylor had been warned and deducted a point for headbutting. Serrano later withdrew the intentionality accusation, and Taylor rejected the characterization that she had fought unfairly. MVP continued expanding its women's roster in 2025. Amanda Serrano signed a lifetime contract in March and was assigned a future chairwoman role connected with women's boxing initiatives. Alycia Baumgardner joined the company in March, followed by Ellie Scotney in April. The roster also included Shadasia Green. MVP then promoted the third Taylor-Serrano fight at Madison Square Garden in July, reinforcing the company's association with high-profile women's boxing. The company also faced a public talent-management controversy in August 2025, when it released Ashton Sylve following his knockout defeat by Lucas Bahdi. Sylve questioned the company's conduct publicly, particularly because Bahdi had reportedly been re-signed by MVP shortly before the release. The available material does not establish a legal finding or formal regulatory sanction arising from the dispute. Later in 2025, MVP was reported as the promoter for Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua, planned for a December 19 event at Miami's Kaseya Center and intended for Netflix. Reference material further reports a 2026 merger with the Professional Fighters League. Under the reported post-merger structure, PFL investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management would back the combined business, Paul and Bidarian would lead it, and former PFL executive John Martin would serve as chief executive. The completion and precise legal structure of that transaction require verification from current corporate or regulatory sources.
- 2026
Reported merger with the Professional Fighters League
[1]Reference material reports that MVP and PFL combine under the MVP banner, subject to verification of completion and corporate details.
- 2025
MVP expands its women's boxing platform
[1]Amanda Serrano signs a lifetime agreement, while Alycia Baumgardner and Ellie Scotney join the women's roster.
- 2024
Paul-Tyson becomes a major Netflix event
[1]MVP promotes Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in a Netflix-distributed event.
- 2023
Most Valuable Prospects launches
[1]MVP and DAZN introduce a recurring prospect-focused series, with the first event held in Orlando.
- 2022
First women's boxing headline at Madison Square Garden
[1]MVP and Matchroom promote Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano as the first women's boxing headline event at Madison Square Garden.
- 2021
MVP is established
[1]Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian establish Most Valuable Promotions as a boxing and combat-sports promotion company.
- 2021
Amanda Serrano joins the stable
[1]Seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano becomes the promotion's first reported signing.
Products and positioning
A modern, media-oriented combat-sports promoter that combines elite boxing, women's boxing advocacy, prospect development, athlete management, influencer-driven marketing, and large-scale streaming distribution.
Live sports promotion · 2021
Professional boxing events
MVP develops and promotes professional boxing cards ranging from prospect showcases to championship and crossover events. Its best-known cards use high-profile athletes, distinctive narratives, and major broadcast partners to create events with both sporting and entertainment value.
Athlete roster and events · 2021
Women's boxing program
The company's women's boxing program is built around prominent competitors including Amanda Serrano, Alycia Baumgardner, Ellie Scotney, and Shadasia Green. It emphasizes headline placement, championship opportunities, and commercially significant matchups, particularly through the Taylor-Serrano series.
Prospect-development series · 2023
Most Valuable Prospects
Most Valuable Prospects is a series created with DAZN to showcase developing boxers in prominent, non-pay-per-view events. The format provides fighters with broadcast exposure while giving MVP a repeatable platform for identifying and building future headliners.
Sports management · 2021
Athlete management
MVP combines event promotion with athlete contracting and management. This model allows the company to develop longer-term relationships with fighters and connect roster strategy with matchmaking, media distribution, and promotional campaigns.
Controversies
2025
Dispute over Ashton Sylve's release
After Ashton Sylve was released following a knockout loss to Lucas Bahdi, Sylve publicly criticized how MVP handled the decision. The available material does not establish a court judgment or regulatory sanction.
2024
Streaming complaints during Paul-Tyson
Some Netflix viewers reported buffering and access problems during the Paul-Tyson broadcast. The available reference material describes audience criticism but does not establish a formal regulatory finding.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Paul vs. Tyson Netflix event
United States · Global Netflix markets
MVP used the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson matchup and Netflix distribution to create a crossover event combining influencer culture, boxing history, and streaming-scale promotion.
Outcome. Jake Paul won by unanimous decision, while the event generated substantial global attention and reports of streaming performance problems for some viewers.
- 2022For History
United States · International boxing audience
MVP and Matchroom positioned Katie Taylor versus Amanda Serrano as a landmark women's boxing event and promoted it under the “For History” concept.
Outcome. The bout became the first women's boxing match to headline Madison Square Garden and received major year-end awards recognition.
Brand decisions
2026
Reported merger with the Professional Fighters LeagueM&ABackground
Reference material describes a planned combination of MVP and the Professional Fighters League to create a broader combat-sports organization.
Action taken
The reported structure places the combined company under the MVP banner, backed by 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management, with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian leading and John Martin serving as chief executive.
Aftermath
The available material states that the merger was completed, but the final legal structure, ownership percentages, and operating arrangements require independent verification.
2025
Deepen the women's boxing rosterStrategyBackground
Following the visibility of the Taylor-Serrano events, MVP continued to develop women's boxing as a central part of its identity.
Action taken
The company secured a lifetime agreement with Amanda Serrano and signed Alycia Baumgardner and Ellie Scotney.
Aftermath
MVP's women's roster expanded to include several established titleholders and contenders, strengthening its specialization in the division.
2023
Introduce Most Valuable ProspectsProduct launchBackground
A promotion dependent only on occasional marquee events needs a pathway for developing younger fighters and recurring programming.
Action taken
MVP partnered with DAZN on a prospect series featuring emerging boxers in non-pay-per-view headline events.
Aftermath
The first event took place in Orlando, with Ashton Sylve defeating Adam Kipenga by unanimous decision.
2021
Build a promotion around boxing and athlete managementStrategyBackground
MVP was created by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian as a combat-sports business combining event promotion with fighter relationships and media-oriented marketing.
Action taken
The company began signing fighters and developing boxing events, with women's boxing and crossover audiences becoming important strategic areas.
Aftermath
Amanda Serrano became the first reported signing and the foundation of MVP's women's boxing platform.
Recent events
- 2026
MVP and PFL report merger[1]
M&A
Reference material reports that MVP and the Professional Fighters League agreed to combine, with the resulting company operating under the MVP name.
- 2025
Amanda Serrano signs lifetime MVP agreement[1]
Leadership change
Serrano agreed to remain with MVP for life and was designated for a future chairwoman role connected to the company's women's boxing activities.
- 2025
MVP expands women's boxing roster[1]
Other
Alycia Baumgardner and Ellie Scotney joined MVP during 2025, adding prominent titleholders to the company's women's boxing stable.
- 2025
Ashton Sylve released by MVP[1]
Leadership change · Other
MVP released prospect Ashton Sylve after his knockout defeat by Lucas Bahdi. Sylve publicly criticized the manner in which the company handled the release.
- 2025
MVP announced as promoter of Paul-Joshua[1]
Product launch
MVP was announced as promoter of Jake Paul versus Anthony Joshua, scheduled for December 19 in Miami with intended Netflix distribution.
- 2024
MVP promotes Paul-Tyson on Netflix[1]
Product launch · Campaign
MVP promoted Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson in a Netflix-distributed event at AT&T Stadium. Paul won by unanimous decision.
- 2024
Netflix viewers report buffering during Paul-Tyson event[1]
Other
Some viewers reported streaming and buffering problems during the highly watched Netflix broadcast.
- 2023
MVP and DAZN launch Most Valuable Prospects[1]
Product launch
The companies introduced a non-pay-per-view series intended to give developing boxers prominent event and broadcast opportunities.
- 2022
Taylor-Serrano makes history at Madison Square Garden[1]
Product launch · Campaign
MVP and Matchroom Boxing co-promoted the first women's boxing match to headline Madison Square Garden.
- 2021
Amanda Serrano becomes MVP's first signed fighter[1]
Other
The newly established promotion signed Puerto Rican champion Amanda Serrano as the first athlete in its stable.
Sources2 sources
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