Nakisa Bidarian Biography:Nakisa Bidarian is a prominent sports executive and entrepreneur known for his extensive contributions to combat sports and entertainment. Born in Canada, he pursued a degree in financial economics at the University of Waterloo and later earned an MBA from Dartmouth College. He began his career in investment banking, holding roles at Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Mubadala Development Company. Over time, he transitioned into sports and entertainment, eventually becoming the CFO and Chief Strategy Officer of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he played a pivotal role in its 2016 sale for $4 billion.
After leaving the UFC, Bidarian co-founded Fertitta Capital and later established BAVAFA Sports, a sports and media advisory firm. He has also been instrumental in boxing’s evolution through Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a company he co-founded with Jake Paul in 2021. MVP has organized high-profile events, including Jake Paul’s boxing matches, and worked to elevate the careers of fighters like Amanda Serrano.
Nakisa remains active in various capacities, serving as an Executive-in-Residence at Dynasty Equity and as a board observer for organizations like the Professional Fighters League. His ventures bridge sports, media, and investment, solidifying his reputation as a transformative figure in modern sports management.
Early Life
Nakisa Bidarian, a businessman of Iranian-Canadian descent, was born in Iran just before the Iranian Revolution. His family fled the country during the Iran-Iraq War due to safety concerns, as boys as young as 12 were being drafted. Initially, they moved to London but returned to Iran briefly before permanently relocating. The family eventually settled in the U.S., first in Chicago, before moving to other cities and finally to Toronto in the late 1980s. Bidarian’s early life was marked by frequent relocations and the challenges of adapting to new environments.
As a student, he struggled with behavioral issues, switching schools multiple times before committing to his studies. He graduated with a degree in financial economics from the University of Waterloo and later earned an MBA from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.
Bio Profile
| Attribute | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Nakisa Bidarian | |
| Ethnicity | Iranian-Canadian | |
| Date of Birth | Late 1970s (Approx. January 12, 1978) | |
| Place of Birth | Iran | |
| Early Life | Fled Iran during the Iran-Iraq War; lived in London, Germany, and multiple U.S. cities. | |
| Education | – B.A. in Financial Economics, University of Waterloo | |
| – MBA, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth | ||
| Key Career Roles | – CFO & Strategy Officer, UFC (2011-2016) | |
| – Co-founder & CEO, Fertitta Capital | ||
| – Founder, BAVAFA Sports | ||
| – Co-founder, Most Valuable Promotions (with Jake Paul) | ||
| Notable Achievements | Played a key role in UFC’s $4 billion sale | |
| Personal Life | Married to Vanessa Milde Bidarian, with one son, Barbad Bidarian | |
| Current Activities | Managing Jake Paul’s career, sports/media investments through BAVAFA Sports | |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $5 million | |
| Known For | Business acumen in sports and entertainment; elevating Jake Paul’s career |
Nakisa Bidarian Age
Nakisa Bidarian was reportedly born in the late 1970s, with his birth date estimated as January 12, 1978. This would make him 46 years old as of 2024.
Nakisa Bidarian Networth
Nakisa Bidarian’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. This wealth primarily stems from his career in finance, executive roles in companies like the UFC, and entrepreneurial ventures such as BAVAFA Sports and Most Valuable Promotions. His strategic leadership, including playing a pivotal role in the $4 billion sale of the UFC, has significantly contributed to his financial success.
Personal Life And Family
Nakisa Bidarian leads a relatively private personal life. He is married to Vanessa Milde Bidarian, a professional model. The couple began dating in 2014 and tied the knot on September 6, 2015. Together, they have one son, Barbad Bidarian, who was born on June 1, 2016.
Nakisa was raised in a family that faced challenges during the Iranian Revolution and subsequent Iran-Iraq War. His parents separated, and he was primarily raised by his mother, Faranak Ashtarieh, alongside his older brother, who is five years his senior. His mother significantly adapted to life outside Iran, working various jobs, including at a shoe store and a donut shop, to support the family.
The Bidarian family relocated several times during his childhood, eventually settling in Toronto, Canada, in the late 1980s. This experience of migration shaped much of his early life.
Nakisa Bidarian Wife
Nakisa Bidarian’s wife is Vanessa Milde Bidarian, a professional model with a height of 5’11”. Vanessa and Nakisa started dating in 2014, became engaged in August 2015, and got married on September 6, 2015. They have a son named Barbad Bidarian, born on June 1, 2016.
Vanessa has pursued a career in modeling and is affiliated with modeling agencies like Finesse Models. She often shares glimpses of her personal and family life on social media.
Career Path
| Period | Position/Role | Organization/Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Career | Consultant – Financial & Performance Management | Accenture | |
| 2003–2007 | Investment Banking – Mergers & Acquisitions | Citigroup | |
| 2007–2008 | Investment Banker | Morgan Stanley | |
| 2008–2011 | Senior Vice President – Acquisitions | Mubadala Development Company | |
| 2011–2013 | Senior VP – Investment & Strategy | Fertitta Entertainment | |
| 2011–2016 | CFO & Chief Strategy Officer | Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC); instrumental in $4 billion UFC sale | |
| 2017–2019 | Co-founder & CEO | Fertitta Capital | |
| 2019–Present | Founder | BAVAFA Sports; focus on talent and media advisory | |
| 2021–Present | Co-founder | Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) with Jake Paul | |
| Executive Producer | Executive Producer | Triller Presents: Tyson vs. Jones |
Working With Dana White
Nakisa Bidarian partnered with Dana White during his tenure as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2011 to 2016. This collaboration was part of his work with UFC’s previous owners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. Bidarian was instrumental in the strategic and financial management of the UFC, including its record-breaking $4 billion sale to WME-IMG in 2016, making it one of the most significant transactions in sports history.
While Bidarian’s relationship with the Fertitta brothers and Dana White started strong, it reportedly became strained later. White has publicly criticized Bidarian on various occasions, particularly in the context of Bidarian’s work with Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions. White referred to Bidarian as “just an accountant” and questioned his expertise in promoting combat sports event.
Despite these tensions, Bidarian has acknowledged Dana White’s impact on the fight sports industry, recognizing his contributions while maintaining his own path in sports business.
Partnership With Jake Paul
Nakisa Bidarian partnered with Jake Paul in 2021 by co-founding Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Their collaboration focuses on revolutionizing combat sports by promoting fighters and organizing high-profile boxing events. Bidarian, leveraging his extensive experience in sports management, oversees the business and promotional aspects of Jake Paul’s career, helping him transition from a YouTube personality to a professional boxer.
Through MVP, they have successfully organized notable fights, including Jake Paul’s bouts against Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva. The company has also promoted other fighters, such as Amanda Serrano, aiming to create opportunities for underrepresented athletes in boxing.
Bidarian’s partnership with Paul is seen as a strategic move to disrupt traditional combat sports promotion, emphasizing transparency, fighter pay, and creative marketing. Despite criticism from some industry veterans, the duo’s work has garnered significant attention and financial success.
Nakisa Bidarian: Jake Paul And Mike Tyson Boxing Match
Jake Paul faced Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated boxing match on November 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The eight-round professional fight was organized by Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Nakisa Bidarian, who played a significant role in arranging the event. The bout was sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and streamed live globally on Netflix. Ultimately, Jake Paul won by unanimous decision, demonstrating his skill against the legendary, but much older, Tyson.
