Rousey vs. Carano Set for Historic Return Bout on Netflix

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey and former Strikeforce fighter Gina Carano will compete in a mixed martial arts bout on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event will be promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and broadcast by Netflix as its first MMA card. The fight marks Rousey's return after a ten-year absence from MMA and Carano's return after 17 years.

Event and Broadcast Details

The featherweight bout is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome. The event is being promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Netflix plans to broadcast the event, which will be its first live MMA card.

Background on Fighters' Inactivity

Ronda Rousey, 39, last competed in an MMA bout ten years ago. Gina Carano, 43, last fought in MMA 17 years ago. Both fighters are scheduled to undergo additional concussion tests ahead of the event. Rousey has previously stated that repeated concussions contributed to her retirement from the UFC.

Negotiations with the UFC

Rousey stated she initially approached UFC CEO Dana White about arranging a fight with Carano within the UFC.

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that discussions about the fight had occurred since last year but stated it ultimately "didn't work out." White expressed positive sentiments toward both fighters.

Rousey later specified that financial terms were a key factor in the lack of an agreement. She stated that initial discussions, which she claimed dated back to 2025, would have resulted in her highest-ever purse. However, she stated that after the UFC transitioned its broadcast model from ESPN to Paramount and eliminated the pay-per-view structure at the start of 2026, the organization did not agree to guarantee the previously discussed purse. Rousey indicated this led her to seek other opportunities to stage the fight.

Fighter Statements and Motivation

At a news conference in Los Angeles, Rousey described the conclusion of her previous MMA career as "heartbreaking." She stated her motivation for the fight was to "rewrite her ending" and credited Carano as an inspiration.

Rousey characterized the upcoming bout as "the biggest fight in MMA right now" and stated it is "not a charity card or nostalgia card."

Carano stated that Rousey's request to fight was her primary motivation. She commented that while other opportunities had arisen, none were as significant as this fight, and she expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

Both fighters expressed mutual appreciation for each other during the news conference, which concluded with a face-off.

Professional Records and Context

Ronda Rousey holds a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 2 losses. She is a former UFC women's bantamweight champion. Gina Carano is a former Strikeforce fighter who helped raise the profile of women's MMA in the late 2000s. The contest promoted by MVP has drawn some criticism, which Rousey has dismissed.