Ronda Rousey Steps Back Into the MMA Ring After Nearly a Decade — Who She's Fighting, When and Where to Watch

Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is set to return to mixed martial arts after nearly 10 years away from the cage. The judo Olympian and combat sports pioneer will face fellow trailblazer Gina Carano on 16 May 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event is being promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will be streamed live globally on Netflix.

Icons of Women's Combat Sports Collide

This matchup represents a meeting of the two most important figures in the history of women's MMA. While they never crossed paths during their prime years, their legacies are linked. Gina Carano was the first female fighter to break into the mainstream consciousness during her time in Strikeforce, proving that women could headline major events. Ronda Rousey then took the torch, becoming the first woman to sign with the UFC and turning into a global superstar who transcended the sport.

According to Most Valuable Promotions, the bout will be contested at 145 pounds (featherweight). It will be a fully professionally sanctioned fight under the Unified Rules of MMA, scheduled for five 5-minute rounds using standard 4-ounce gloves inside a hexagon cage.

'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.'

The Fight Journey of Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey, now 39, has not competed in MMA since December 2016. Her rise to fame was meteoric. After becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo in 2008, she transitioned to MMA and dominated the competition. She won her first 12 professional fights, with 11 of them ending in the first round, often by her signature armbar submission.

She held the UFC bantamweight title from 2013 to 2015 and defended it successfully six times. However, her aura of invincibility was shattered in November 2015 when she was knocked out by Holly Holm. A comeback attempt a year later resulted in a quick defeat to Amanda Nunes, leading to her retirement from the sport. Since then, Rousey enjoyed a successful stint in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), becoming a three-time world champion, and appeared in several Hollywood films.

Gina Carano's 17-Year Fight Hiatus

If Rousey's layoff seems long, Gina Carano's return is even more surprising. Carano, who will be 44 years old on fight night, has not fought since August 2009. She retired with a record of 7-1 after a loss to Cris Cyborg in a historic Strikeforce title fight. That bout was the first time women headlined a major MMA card, paving the way for the opportunities Rousey would later seize.

Following her athletic career, Carano transitioned into acting, with roles in 'Haywire', 'Fast & Furious 6', and the 'Star Wars' series 'The Mandalorian'. Despite her long absence, Carano expressed respect for Rousey and eagerness for the challenge.

'Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for,' Carano stated. 'She thanked me for opening up doors for her in her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen.'

Streaming Giant Enters the Cage

This event marks a significant shift in how combat sports are consumed. By partnering with Netflix, Most Valuable Promotions is bypassing traditional pay-per-view models. This follows the trend set by Jake Paul's recent boxing events. Interestingly, Rousey revealed she initially approached UFC President Dana White about the fight, but when an agreement could not be reached, it opened the door for MVP and Netflix.

'I reached out to Dana and asked him if he would be interested in it, and it didn't exactly work out with the UFC, but it led us here to today,' Rousey explained during a television interview.

While critics may point to the age of the competitors—a combined 83 years—promoters insist the historical significance of the matchup makes it a 'spectacle' worth watching. A press conference to kick off the promotion is scheduled for 5 March at the Intuit Dome.