Volkanovski Endorses Rousey-Carano Comeback, Highlighting Mainstream Appeal and Growth for MMA

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed a decidedly positive outlook on the highly anticipated return bout between women’s mixed martial arts pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, slated for May 16 in Los Angeles. The event, which will be broadcast live by Netflix, marks a significant moment for the sport, drawing two of its most iconic figures back into the cage after extended absences.

The announcement by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) sent ripples through the combat sports world. Rousey, a former dominant UFC champion and Olympic judoka, and Carano, an early trailblazer who transitioned successfully into a high-profile acting career, are set to headline a card that Volkanovski believes will significantly expand MMA’s reach.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski articulated his belief that the matchup, despite featuring two fighters well past their competitive primes, holds immense value for the sport’s overall growth. He drew a parallel to a hypothetical bout between current UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison and all-time great Amanda Nunes, pondering which event would generate superior viewership numbers. "When it comes to numbers, what do I think would do better?" Volkanovski questioned. "I think the numbers might be the same as—I don’t know. I feel like Amanda Nunes and a Kayla Harrison, would that do better numbers? I don’t know, you tell me. I’m just trying to gauge this sort of situation."

Volkanovski acknowledged the difference in competitive standing, noting, "I think when it comes to fighting, they’re sort of still in their prime. You could still say Amanda Nunes is still in her prime. Kayla Harrison, obviously in her prime, so they’re going to do their thing." However, he underscored the unique appeal of the Rousey-Carano pairing. "But Ronda Rousey, Carano, now in a lot of movies. WWE. It being on Netflix, a whole different audience, which I like. Me, being a UFC athlete, me just being an MMA fighter, I think it’s great for the sport. I think more people might tune in."

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The champion elaborated on the potential for audience diversification. "If it is the same numbers as a Kayla Harrison-Amanda Nunes, I think that it’s different people watching. I think you are going to get some of your hardcores in that as well and you’re going to get a lot of people that are maybe tuning in for other reasons. Or it’s just on Netflix. I think just MMA being on Netflix is massive."

The May 16 event signifies Netflix’s inaugural foray into live mixed martial arts. The streaming giant has previously ventured into combat sports with success, notably broadcasting two high-profile boxing matches featuring MVP founder Jake Paul against Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua. While Netflix is not expected to become a direct competitor to the UFC in the MMA landscape, Rousey herself has confidently asserted that her fight with Carano could surpass the viewership figures seen by recent UFC events in the Paramount+ era, adding a layer of competitive intrigue to the broadcast landscape.

Volkanovski largely dismissed the notion of a rivalry between the UFC and other promotions hosting such events, viewing the bigger picture as beneficial for MMA as a whole. "You’re going to get a lot of people that are going to be talking about how it’s not good, that it’s not with the UFC, and obviously acting like there’s this rivalry between the two and whatnot," Volkanovski stated. "I don’t really look at it that way. I think it’s good for the sport." He reiterated, "Why is it good for the sport? If we’re talking numbers, I think you might get some numbers, I think it’s a decent fight. Are you going to get the hardcores going nuts about it? Maybe, because they remember what these fighters used to be. But I think you’re going to get a lot more people outside of fighting that are going to tune in, so that’s something that I think would be good for the sport."

The Legacy of Two Pioneers

Ronda Rousey, known as "Rowdy," revolutionized women’s MMA. An Olympic bronze medalist in judo, she made her professional MMA debut in 2011 and quickly ascended to superstardom, becoming the first-ever UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Her dominant run, characterized by quick finishes via armbar, saw her defend her title six times before suffering her first professional loss to Holly Holm in November 2015. Rousey’s last professional MMA fight was a December 2016 loss to Amanda Nunes, after which she transitioned to a successful career in professional wrestling with WWE and various acting roles.

Gina Carano, dubbed "Crush," was an earlier pioneer, making her professional debut in 2006. She quickly became the face of women’s MMA during its formative years, competing in organizations like EliteXC and Strikeforce. Her charisma and fighting prowess garnered significant attention, culminating in a historic bout against Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino in August 2009 for the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship, which she lost. This marked her last professional MMA fight, after which Carano embarked on a prominent acting career, appearing in films such as "Fast & Furious 6" and "Deadpool," and the television series "The Mandalorian." Their combined star power and the narrative of their return after prolonged absences are key factors in the anticipated mainstream interest.

Broader Industry Implications and UFC’s Stance

Volkanovski also touched upon the UFC’s perspective, suggesting that while the promotion might initially view such an event as a missed financial opportunity, the broader impact of drawing new eyes to MMA ultimately benefits the entire ecosystem. "You know, UFC probably looking at it, ‘We could have made money on this fight,’ or do we just want eyes on our sport?" Volkanovski mused. "Is that the main focus? Because at the end of the day, the more eyes on the sport, the more people are going to watch UFC anyway. If you can get people interested in MMA however you want. … If they are interested and they start taking a liking to it and they start watching a bit more, what are they going to watch? You’re probably going to watch the best of the best go at it." He concluded, "So if you can get introduced to this sport, mixed martial arts, a different way, I still feel like eventually if you like the sport you’re going to eventually just be watching UFC."

This perspective aligns with ongoing discussions within the UFC regarding its financial strategies and fan engagement. For instance, recent reports indicate that the UFC expects to incur losses of at least $30 million on its upcoming White House card, with President Dana White stating the promotion "will not profit" from the event. This suggests a willingness to invest in unique opportunities that may not yield immediate financial returns but could offer long-term strategic benefits, such as expanding the sport’s footprint.

The sentiment regarding the "best of the best" is frequently echoed across the UFC roster. Lightweight contender Ilia Topuria, for example, recently dismissed Arman Tsarukyan as a threat, stating, "What’s he going to do?" Such remarks highlight the competitive nature and high stakes within the UFC’s top divisions. Similarly, discussions around potential high-profile matchups, such as Nassourdine Imavov’s revelation of two planned title fight dates against Khamzat Chimaev before Chimaev’s injury, or Kamaru Usman’s comments on the UFC’s reluctance regarding a potential Islam Makhachev fight, underscore the premium placed on top-tier competitive bouts.

The combat sports landscape is also seeing increasing crossover appeal. Beyond MMA, the boxing world continues to generate significant interest, with reports surfacing on how a potential Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2 rematch came together 11 years after their first historic encounter. Furthermore, Conor Benn’s Zuffa Boxing debut, set to take place on a Tyson Fury return card on Netflix, illustrates the broader trend of streaming platforms and alternative promotions hosting major combat sports events, often featuring athletes with established fan bases across different disciplines.

The diverse opinions and reactions surrounding these developments are evident across various platforms. Social media discourse, exemplified by comments ranging from analytical takes by figures like Chael Sonnen to humorous fan reactions and discussions about fighter athleticism (such as references to Drew Brees’s career), reflects the vibrant and engaged community surrounding combat sports. Podcasts, such as "No Bets Barred," also contribute to the ongoing analysis and debate.

Upcoming Bouts Across Combat Sports

Amidst these high-profile discussions and potential comeback fights, the regular calendar of combat sports continues to unfold with new matchups being announced:

Regina Tarin (7-0) vs. Ernesta Kareckaite (6-1-1); UFC Mexico, Feb. 28
Mehdi Baydulaev (19-2) vs. Gabriel Braga (16-3); PFL Chicago, April 11
Julian Leblanc (10-2) vs. Robert Valentin (10-6, 1 NC); UFC Winnipeg, April 18
Rodolfo Vieira (11-4) vs. Eric McConico (10-4-1); UFC Fight Night, April 25

These scheduled fights ensure a consistent stream of competitive action for fans, even as the sport explores new avenues for growth and mainstream appeal. The evolving landscape, marked by a mix of traditional promotions and new streaming partnerships, indicates a dynamic future for mixed martial arts and combat sports at large.