Ali Akbar Rosady
Los Angeles, California – In a monumental announcement that has reverberated throughout the combat sports world, mixed martial arts legends Ronda Rousey (12-2, 9 KOs) and Gina Carano (7-1, 3 KOs) are poised to make an unexpected return to the hexagon, confirming a highly anticipated five-round fight scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), signifies a landmark moment for women’s mixed martial arts, bringing together two of its most transformative figures after extended periods away from active competition. The bout will be exclusively streamed live on Netflix, marking a significant foray for the streaming giant into live combat sports broadcasting.
The contest is set to unfold within the confines of a hexagon cage, adhering to the championship standard of five five-minute rounds. This format promises a thorough test of endurance and skill, particularly given the extended layoffs for both athletes. Rousey, 39, last competed professionally in mixed martial arts in December 2016, suffering a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. This marked her second consecutive defeat by knockout, following her historic upset loss to Holly Holm in November 2015. Rousey, a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and Olympic bronze medalist in Judo, was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s most dominant and influential figures during her prime.
Carano, 43, holds an even longer hiatus from professional fighting, with her last bout occurring in August 2009. In that pivotal contest, she faced Cris Cyborg in a Strikeforce event, suffering the first and only loss of her professional career. Carano, often credited as one of the earliest mainstream stars in women’s MMA, particularly during her tenure with EliteXC and Strikeforce, carved out a path that many, including Rousey, would later follow. Her striking prowess and captivating presence helped to elevate the profile of female fighters long before the UFC introduced women’s divisions.
The announcement by Most Valuable Promotions, a company co-founded by boxing sensation Jake Paul, signals their continued expansion within the combat sports landscape. While MVP has primarily focused on boxing events featuring high-profile names, their venture into MMA with such a marquee matchup underscores the commercial appeal and historical significance of Rousey vs. Carano. The choice of the Intuit Dome, the new state-of-the-art arena and future home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, further highlights the scale and ambition of this event, positioning it as a major spectacle in the sports calendar.
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Since their respective departures from the MMA cage, both Rousey and Carano have successfully transitioned into other high-profile careers. Carano notably established herself in Hollywood, featuring in major film franchises such as Fast & Furious 6 and Deadpool, and later gaining widespread recognition for her role in the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Rousey also explored acting opportunities before embarking on a highly successful career in professional wrestling with WWE. During her tenure with WWE, she achieved significant accolades, including two reigns as the Raw Women’s Champion and one reign as the SmackDown Women’s Champion, before her departure from the promotion in 2023. These parallel trajectories in mainstream entertainment have only amplified their global recognition, setting the stage for a return that transcends traditional MMA viewership.
Gina Carano provided insight into the genesis of this unexpected comeback, stating in a press release, "Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for and it has been her dream to make this fight happen between us. She thanked me for opening up doors for her in her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome. This is as much for Ronda and me as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community. What a time to be alive." Carano’s statement underscores a mutual respect between the two pioneers, acknowledging Carano’s foundational role in the sport and Rousey’s long-held ambition for this specific matchup.
The context of Rousey’s return is further nuanced by her recent public statements regarding her health. During a recent book tour, Rousey openly discussed suffering concussions as a child and raised questions about the long-term effects of head injuries, prompting speculation about her willingness to ever compete in combat sports again. Her decision to return for this specific fight with Carano, despite these concerns, highlights the unique draw and personal significance of the matchup for her.
The MMA careers of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, while both groundbreaking, never overlapped in terms of active competition. Carano’s peak preceded Rousey’s dominant run in the UFC, creating a perennial "dream fight" scenario that remained in the realm of hypothetical discussions for over a decade. Rousey’s ascent to global superstardom, characterized by her aggressive judo-based grappling and signature armbar submissions, began as Carano was transitioning away from the sport. Rousey’s twelve professional victories include nine via knockout and three via submission, showcasing her devastating finishing ability. Her average fight time in the UFC was remarkably short during her championship reign, reflecting her unparalleled dominance.
Carano’s record of 7-1 includes three knockouts and one submission, with her fighting style predominantly centered on powerful striking honed from her Muay Thai background. Her lone loss to Cris Cyborg, who would later become one of the most feared strikers in women’s MMA, remains a defining moment in her career. The stylistic clash between Rousey’s Olympic-level judo and Carano’s formidable stand-up game offers an intriguing dynamic for this contest. While Rousey’s ground game was often insurmountable for her opponents, Carano’s ability to keep fights standing and land significant strikes could pose a unique challenge. However, Carano also possesses a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, indicating a more well-rounded skill set than often perceived.
The significant time elapsed since both fighters last competed professionally – over seven years for Rousey and nearly fifteen years for Carano – raises questions about ring rust, physical conditioning, and the inevitable effects of aging on reflexes and durability. Both athletes will face the daunting task of re-entering the demanding world of professional fight training at an age when most elite combat sports athletes have either retired or significantly scaled back their careers. The five-round championship distance will provide ample opportunity for both fighters to shake off any initial cobwebs and attempt to recapture the intensity and skill that made them household names.
The decision to stream the event on Netflix represents a significant strategic move, potentially exposing mixed martial arts to a vast global audience beyond traditional sports broadcasting platforms. Netflix’s subscriber base could provide an unprecedented reach for the sport, signaling a new era for how major combat sports events are distributed and consumed. This partnership further emphasizes the crossover appeal of Rousey and Carano, whose names resonate with a broader entertainment audience in addition to dedicated MMA fans.
The return of Rousey and Carano is more than just a fight; it is a historical event that brings together two foundational figures who, in their distinct ways, paved the path for women’s mixed martial arts. Carano, through her early prominence, demonstrated the marketability and skill of female fighters. Rousey, through her UFC dominance, forced the sport’s largest promotion to embrace women’s divisions and shattered glass ceilings for female athletes in combat sports. Their meeting, however delayed, represents a symbolic culmination of their intertwined legacies and an opportunity for fans to witness a matchup that was once only a dream. The anticipation surrounding May 16 is palpable, as two legends prepare to step back into the spotlight and add a remarkable new chapter to their already storied careers.
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