Ronda Rousey to Face Gina Carano in Netflix’s Landmark MMA Debut
The Return of the Icons: Ronda Rousey to Face Gina Carano in Netflix’s Landmark MMA Debut
INGLEWOOD, CA — The "Baddest Woman on the Planet" is back, but she isn't heading for the Octagon. In a stunning announcement that has sent shockwaves through the sporting world, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed Tuesday that Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts for the first time in a decade to headline the streamer’s first-ever live MMA event.
The blockbuster "superfight" will see Rousey, 39, take on fellow pioneer and former The Mandalorian star Gina Carano, 43, on Saturday 16th May 2026. The event will take place at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will stream live globally to Netflix’s 280 million-plus subscribers at no additional cost.
A Clash of Eras
The matchup unites the two most formative figures in the history of women’s combat sports. Rousey (12-2), the Olympic judoka who became the UFC's first female champion and a global cultural phenomenon, has not fought since 2016. Carano (7-1), often cited as the original "face of women's MMA" during the Strikeforce era, returns from an even longer hiatus, having last competed in 2009.
“I’ve been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women's combat sport history,” Rousey said in a statement. “This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future.”
Carano revealed that the comeback was born from a personal request: “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.”
The "MVP" Blueprint
The event is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, the disruptive outfit co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. Following the record-breaking success of Tyson vs. Paul and Joshua vs. Paul, MVP is now looking to apply its high-spectacle, "fighter-first" model to the cage.
Fight Specifications:
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Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs).
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Format: Five, 5-minute rounds.
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Rules: Professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA.
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Equipment: 4-ounce gloves inside a hexagonal cage.
Netflix’s Sporting Takeover
The announcement marks a significant escalation in Netflix’s live sports strategy. By securing Rousey’s return, the platform has managed to land a "unicorn" that UFC CEO Dana White has long insisted was finished with the sport.
“After the record-breaking success in boxing, we wanted our first MMA event to be truly legendary,” said Gabe Spitzer, Netflix VP of Sports. “Bringing together Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano is a defining moment for us.”
The Road to 16th May
Fans won’t have to wait long to see the legends face off. An official Kickoff Press Conference, hosted by renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, is scheduled for 5th March at the Intuit Dome. Tickets are expected to go on sale to the general public the same day via Ticketmaster.
While critics may point to the ages of the competitors, the cultural weight of the bout is undeniable. For many, this isn't just a fight, it’s the closing of a chapter that began before women were even allowed in the UFC.
