Kenny Cross says a spot on the inaugural Netflix-backed MMA event has given him the biggest payday of his career. The 31-year-old will fight on May 16 on the undercard of Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
Big payday on a big stage
Cross will face Salahdine Parnasse on May 16 at the first Netflix-backed MMA show promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The card is headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano and will draw major attention from fans around the world.
In an interview, Cross said his purse for the fight is far larger than what a new UFC fighter would earn. “I’m making five times what a UFC fighter would make in his first fight,” he said. “I’m making the whole first contract outside of if they get a bonus. It’s just like all my hard work is finally paying off, and no gatekeeping.”
Long road to this moment
Cross has spent years working his way up the regional ranks. He is 17–4 and has victories across several promotions. He even picked up a win on Dana White’s Contender Series, but he did not get a UFC contract after that showing.
He has also had a short run with Bellator and nearly made a spot on The Ultimate Fighter. That near-miss history has left him frustrated at times. “It’s just like, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I get into the UFC?” Cross said, describing how he beat fighters who later moved on while he was overlooked.
Now, with MVP putting on a major Netflix-backed event, Cross says his hope and confidence have returned. “I lose all my integrity and I lose all my hope, and this kinda gave it all back to me now, so it’s like sunny skies and I’m just excited,” he said.
Fight details and card context
Event: inaugural Netflix-backed MMA event presented by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)
Date: May 16
Main event: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
Undercard bout: Kenny Cross vs. Salahdine Parnasse
Where Cross stands now
This fight gives Cross both a high-profile stage and a meaningful payday. A strong showing on the Netflix-backed card could reshape his career and bring him broader recognition.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Kenny Cross | Win on Dana White’s Contender Series; 17–4 record |
Cross will look to use the May 16 event as a springboard. With the eyes of the combat sports world on Rousey vs. Carano, this undercard fight gives him a rare chance to change the narrative around his career.
