Boxing news 2026 skye nicolson vs jake paul nakisa bidarian mvp promotions feud australian mariah turner fight 20260427 p5zref.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
Watch Live
Premier League on StanrightArrow
This was published 4 months ago

'They need me': Aussie boxer Skye Nicolson reignites bitter feud with Jake Paul's MVP business partner

Simon Brunsdon
Simon Brunsdon

Powered by

Aussie boxing star Skye Nicolson has reignited her beef with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) company and its co-founder Nakisa Bidarian.

The 30-year-old Queenslander says MVP "need me" and she hopes to force them to the negotiating table when she defeats Mariah Turner in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Nicolson is the interim WBC super bantamweight champion, and was the WBC world featherweight champion before losing the strap to Tiara Brown in March last year.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Fittler warns of 'challenges' as Luai mulls PNG move

READ MORE: Prawn tacos blamed as Gauff vomits, stars fall to mystery illness

READ MORE: 'It's crap': Tiny tweak threatening to stain AFL history books

That was her first and only loss in a 16-fight professional career, and the Aussie is regarded as one of the most talented female boxers on the planet.

But despite her obvious talents and drawing power, she has fallen out with MVP chief Bidarian and it's impacting her ability to book big fights.

Bidarian and Paul have given female boxers a big and lucrative platform through MVP over the past two years, signing some of the top fighters including Australian stars Cherneka Johnson and Ebanie Bridges.

Skye Nicolson during a media workout at Matchroom Churchill gym.

Skye Nicolson during a media workout at Matchroom Churchill gym. Getty

Last year Johnson became undisputed bantamweight champion - Australia's first undisputed champ in the four-belt era - by beating Shurretta Metcalf on an MVP card.

Advertisement

Nicolson is happy in Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable but wants a piece of the action when it comes to the big-money MVP events.

"They don't want to admit it, but they need me," she told Fox Sports Australia ahead of her fight this week.

"I'm one of the biggest names in female boxing in the world. And as much as they hate that, it is what it is.

"So line them up. I'll beat them all and be cashing cheques. That's what is happening."

Advertisement
Advertisement

Nicolson says she has no issue with Paul or with MVP more broadly, but she has run into unexpected beef with Paul's business partner Bidarian.

Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul speak at a press conference. Getty Images for Netflix

Last year he publicly accused Nicolson of avoiding a fight with MVP-signed British fighter Ellie Scotney, despite Nicolson calling out Scotney following a win against Carla Camila Campos Gonzales in July.

Bidarian bizarrely said Nicolson would struggle to make weight for a fight against super bantamweight world champion Scotney and labelled the Aussie "embarrassing" for calling out the Brit, who only needs the WBC strap - currently held by Nicolson - to become undisputed.

Advertisement

Nicolson also raised the ire of some in the boxing world when she previously accused superstar Amanda Serrano of avoiding her by vacating the WBC title.

Nicolson fears her beef with Bidarian is the reason she now can't book a fight with the likes of Scotney, Johnson, Brown, and Serrano.

"I think Jake Paul has been good for women's boxing, bringing more eyes to the fights and more opportunities for the girls. But Nikisa and I, we haven't had the nicest friendship, I'll be honest. Our relationship isn't great," she said this week.

Skye Nicolson following her victory over Carla Camila Campos Gonzales. Getty

Advertisement
Advertisement

"I don't really have a message for Nakisa... But he knows that in women's boxing, the big fights will include my name moving forward.

"I won't be denied. I'm going to keep knocking on the door. Keep calling them out. And I'm going to keep on winning.

"As far as I'm aware, too, Matchroom and MVP are on good terms and talking together about making big fights. So I assume that includes me.

"I feel sometimes like [MVP] wants to make the fights work with everyone but me. But we're not going to make it personal."

Advertisement

Nicolson will throw down with Turner at The Melbourne Pavilion on Wednesday night.

Most viewed in Combat Sports

More to explore