Two of mixed martial arts’ most influential pioneers, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, are set to return to the cage on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the event will stream globally on Netflix, marking Rousey’s first professional fight since 2016 and Carano’s since 2009.
At a press conference on March 10, both fighters emphasized mutual respect, sharing smiles and embraces in a rare display of camaraderie. Hosted by Ariel Helwani and attended by co-main event fighters Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins, the announcement underscored the fight’s significance as a milestone for women’s MMA and combat sports globally.
Rousey stated: “This is the biggest fight in MMA right now. There are no two fighters with more international recognition than me and Gina.” Carano added: “She’s my ‘one’ as well,” highlighting the profound respect that motivated their return.
Originally planned under the UFC, the fight was postponed due to the promotion’s transition to Paramount+ and evolving business priorities. Rousey explained: “Gina needed more time to prepare. I think it was fate it was meant to be.”
Partnering with MVP, co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, and Netflix, the fighters independently organized a bout Rousey calls “the most viewed MMA fight of all time.”
Rousey also criticized UFC’s approach to athlete compensation, noting that even top stars like Valentina Shevchenko face financial challenges despite UFC’s $7.7 billion streaming deal. “They’re losing talent because of short-term greed… Fighters are forced to find income elsewhere, including OnlyFans,” she said, underscoring broader concerns over fighter welfare.
Outside the cage, Carano lives in Montana with her husband, Muay Thai fighter Kevin Ross, while Rousey raises daughters with former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne. Yet the opportunity to face each other the opponent they most respect proved irresistible.
The May 16 event will also feature Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins, enhancing an already star-studded card. Rousey reflected: “This is rewriting my ending with Gina… maybe a grand finale. But this is the last one.”
With mutual admiration, strategic vision, and a shared mission, Rousey and Carano are poised to deliver a fight that transcends sport, setting a new standard for MMA history.
