Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is on the verge of its upcoming Saturday, May 16th event, with all 22 fighters successfully making weight during Friday morning’s weigh-ins, setting a positive tone for the weekend. While the card boasts numerous notable athletes and rising prospects, it holds particular significance for competitors hailing from and training in Southern California.
Albert Morales
Albert Morales is a seasoned mixed martial artist with a notable career, having competed five times in the UFC before appearances in Bellator and Up Next Fighting. Known as “The Belizean Warrior,” Morales resides and trains within 30 miles of the Intuit Dome, the venue for this event. Having spent fight week surrounded by his team and family, Morales expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to compete on such a high-profile stage. With 30 professional bouts to his name, Morales has secured knockouts in five of his last eight victories and aims to deliver another impressive finish on Saturday night.
Jeff Creighton
“Jazzy” Jeff Creighton has been on the cusp of a significant career breakthrough for an extended period. He first captured the attention of MMA fans by defeating Joey Davis in Bellator and has since fought for LFA and participated in The Ultimate Fighter. Creighton has emerged victorious in 8 of his last 9 MMA contests and is looking to make a strong statement against former Bellator champion Jason Jackson. Jeff Creighton is a native of Poway, California, and trains with Teams MMA in Chula Vista, California.
Jake Babian
Jake “The Barbabian” Babian, originally from Hawaii, has established Southern California as his home and fighting base. After honing his skills in local promotions such as UNF and Lights Out Fighting Championship, the multiple-time Hawaiian jiu-jitsu champion has earned his chance at this major opportunity. Babian is a formidable grappler known for his devastating ground-and-pound technique, and his bout against Namo Fazil is poised to be an explosive matchup with added intensity.
Nate Diaz
The 209 area code is almost synonymous with Stockton, California, and its iconic fighter, Nate Diaz, within the combat sports community. This event marks his return to the MMA cage for the first time since his submission victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2023. He is set to face Mike Perry, who has also been active in bare-knuckle boxing during his MMA hiatus. Nate Diaz consistently draws a substantial fanbase, and his scheduled five-round fight against Perry is anticipated to deliver not only thrilling action but also considerable entertainment.
Chris Avila
As a fellow member of Nate Diaz’s team, Chris Avila frequently finds himself booked on the same fight cards as his mentor and teammate. With a background in both boxing and MMA, Avila has accumulated considerable experience and aims to enhance his professional record when he faces Brandon Jenkins on Saturday night.
Don’t miss this groundbreaking event on Saturday, May 16th. The preliminary bouts will be broadcast on YouTube at 3pm PST/6pm EST, followed by the main card on Netflix at 6pm PST/9pm EST.
English Translation and Paraphrasing:
Local Fighters to Feature Prominently at MVP MMA Event
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is nearing its scheduled event on Saturday, May 16th. All 22 competitors successfully made weight during the early weigh-ins on Friday morning, marking a positive start to the fight weekend. While the card features numerous standout athletes, legends, and promising talents, it is particularly significant for those competing who reside and train in Southern California.
Albert Morales
Albert Morales is a veteran MMA fighter with prior experience in the UFC, Bellator, and Up Next Fighting. Nicknamed “The Belizean Warrior,” Morales trains and lives less than 30 miles from the Intuit Dome, the venue for this fight. He has spent fight week surrounded by his team and family, feeling fortunate to compete on such a high-profile card. Morales, a fighter with 30 bouts, has finished five of his last eight opponents by knockout and intends to deliver another stoppage on Saturday night.
Jeff Creighton
“Jazzy” Jeff Creighton has long been on the verge of a significant career opportunity. He first gained recognition among MMA fans by upsetting Joey Davis in Bellator and has since competed in LFA and The Ultimate Fighter. Jeff has won 8 of his last 9 MMA contests and is aiming to make a statement against former Bellator champion Jason Jackson. Jeff Creighton hails from Poway, California, and trains at Teams MMA in Chula Vista, California.
Jake Babian
Jake “The Barbabian” Babian, originally from Hawaii, has made Southern California his home and fighting territory. After competing in local promotions like UNF and Lights Out Fighting Championship, the multiple-time Hawaiian jiu-jitsu champion has earned his shot at this significant opportunity. Babian is a formidable grappler with powerful ground-and-pound skills, and his matchup with Namo Fazil is expected to be an explosive encounter.
Nate Diaz
The 209 area code is widely recognized in the combat sports world as the identifier for Stockton, California, and its fighting icon, Nate Diaz. He returns to the MMA cage for the first time since submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2023. Diaz will face Mike Perry, who has also been taking a break from MMA to compete in bare-knuckle boxing. Nate Diaz consistently attracts significant fan attention, and his scheduled five-round bout with Perry is expected to deliver both intense action and plenty of personality.
Chris Avila
As a fellow member of Nate Diaz’s team, Chris Avila consistently gets booked on the same events as his mentor and teammate. With a background in both boxing and MMA, Avila has had an experienced career and looks to build on his record when he faces Brandon Jenkins on Saturday night.
Be sure to watch this groundbreaking event on Saturday, May 16th. The preliminary card will stream on YouTube at 3pm PST/6pm EST, and the main card will be broadcast on Netflix at 6pm PST/9pm EST.
