Just as Francis Ngannou was making his entrance, the UFC dropped the news Conor McGregor would be returning to the octagon in July.

In isolation, seemed an odd choice to do that when the UFC were hosting a fight night at the Apex and McGregor not there in person to hype it.

But if you go down a rivalry rabbit hole, could the UFC have done it to perhaps draw attention away from MVP's event?

Jake Paul, co-founded of MVP, certainly thinks so.

"That just shows how pressed there are. Little insecure boys trying to piggy back off our event and try to put some news over top on us, not going to work," Paul said.

Jake Paul
YouTuber & boxer on Netflix

I just feel bad that Jon Jones can’t get out of his contract to be a free agent to you know, provide for his family. That is the real meaning behind these things, these fighters being tied up and not being able to pick and chose what they want to do. Get the pay they deserve.

The fact that he wasn’t on the White House card was very disappointing. He’s a true all-American, one of the greatest of all time and it just felt flat. I feel for these fighters. I spoke to him tonight, and yeah, it sucks, he can't control his career.

I have been pushing for fighters to stay free agents and work with people like MVP where these MMA fighters can box, boxers can do MMA.

I have been wanting to make Jon Jones v Francis Ngannou, but it’s tough. It sucks for the fighters, and for their business, families and legacy.

After submitting Gina Carano inside 15 seconds, the emotions poured out as Ronda Rousey embraced her husband, Travis Browne, before saying goodbye to the fans one last time.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

MVP chief Jake Paul speaking to Netflix: “We are breaking records tonight. This is one of the most viewed MMA events in history and it’s all thanks to these women [Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano], Francis, Mike and Nat.

"They put it all on the line and MVP is just getting warmed up, and MMA will be seeing a lot of us. So be prepared because this is the takeover."

Kenny Florian
Retired fighter on Netflix

This fight was really about redemption for both of these ladies, they really didn’t have the exit they wanted from the sport the way that they hoped. But to see them come back, for Rhonda to get the win of course with her patterned arm bar and for Gina to show up and make the weight. A lot of people doubted the ladies, and I am so proud of them it was a great event.

The California State Athletic Commission have released the "disclosed fight purses" for the event to MMA Junkie.

Have to mention, this is not a full picture of what each fighter earned but gives an idea of baseline. It won't include any potential earnings from broadcast, ticket sales or bonuses.

• Ronda Rousey £1.65m ($2.2m)
• Gina Carano £790,000 ($1.05m)

• Nate Diaz £375,000 ($500,000)
• Mike Perry £300,000 ($400,000)

• Francis Ngannou £1.1m ($1.5m)
• Philipe Lins £75,000 ($100,000)

The full list showed every fighter got at least $40,000.

Well, a night of action and finishes. Felt like a lot went on with so little fight action. In fact, there was only 22 minutes and five seconds of action in the main card fights.

Not bad for MVP's first MMA event?

You have to wonder what this all means. Did we learn anything? UFC were clearly looking to screw with MVP by announcing Conor McGregor's return during Francis Ngannou's walkout. No way that wasn't by design!

Jake Paul is talking about a "takeover" - but can it actually be done? Do MVP even have the funds to do that?

Tonight showed they can attract huge names and put on exciting (if a little lop-sided) fights. But consistency and regular events is a whole other story.

Image source, Getty Images

Gina Carano speaking to Netflix after losing to Ronda Rousey: "I wanted that to last longer. I felt that I was ready and so good, but I haven’t been in here in 17 years."

On the fight: "Getting in the cage was a victory. Getting here after 17 years is a victory. Fighting a legend is a victory. I feel great, I just feel like I wanted to fight and I didn’t get that, but she trained and had her game plan. I have so much love and respect for Ronda. This was a victory in my life. I took 100 pounds off my body, which is going to give me a longer life. There are so many good things to think about here; it was just the fight that didn’t go my way."

On whether she plans to continue: "I don’t know. I think 17 years was a lot. Being 44 years old is a lot and I don’t know if I can put my family back through that. But I’m going to go look at this, I didn’t get anything out, I didn’t get to do anything in this fight, so you just never know with me."

The total MVP main card cage time was 22 minutes and five seconds.

Wow.

Ronda Rousey speaking to Netflix, after submitting Gina Carano: "Gina is a person who brought me into MMA, she is the only person who could bring me back into MMA. She’s my hero. She brought me back home when no one else could, and she showed me where my home was. You changed my world, and we changed the world. I could never be able to pay you back enough."

On the fight: "I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible because I didn’t want to hurt her. Luckily, it was beautiful martial arts, that is what it is, it’s an art."

On whether she is tempted to fight again: "There is no way I could have ended it better than this. I want to have some more babies and I have to get cooking."

Kenny Florian
Retired fighter on Netflix

World-class judo. World-class ground game. She went right at Gina, and I think a lot of people, including myself, thought it was going to be a throw or a sweep.

Jake Paul says MVP will be back in MMA and he tells the UFC, "Be prepared because this is a takeover".

Gina Carano has kept the door ever so slightly ajar when asked if she'll fight again.