Two pioneers of women's mixed martial arts, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, have announced a surprise return to the cage. After nearly a decade-long hiatus, the fighters will face off in a bout scheduled for May 16, 2026. The event will take place at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in California. The fight, organized by Most Valuable Promotions, will be a historic, first-ever MMA event broadcast live on the Netflix platform.

Historic Return of Legends

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano return to the cage after 10 and 17 years, respectively, since their last professional MMA appearances.

MMA Debut on Netflix

The Netflix platform will conduct its first global live broadcast of a mixed martial arts event, continuing its expansion into the sports sector.

Location and Date

The bout is scheduled for May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.

Collaboration with MVP

The event is co-organized by Most Valuable Promotions, a company owned by the well-known influencer and boxer Jake Paul.

The sports world was rocked by sensational news of the return of two icons of women's MMA. Ronda Rousey, now 39, and 43-year-old Gina Carano have decided to come out of sporting retirement for a direct showdown. The fight has been contracted at featherweight limits and will take place on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood. The event will be hosted at the Intuit Dome, a venue capable of seating 18,000 spectators. The event organization is handled by the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The beginnings of women's MMA in the mainstream date back to 2013, when Ronda Rousey became the first woman in history to sign a contract with the UFC, becoming a global ambassador for the sport.For Ronda Rousey, this will be a return after a very long absence; her last fight took place in December 2016, when she lost to Amanda Nunes. Rousey, who became the first woman in history to win a UFC title, dominated her weight class for years, finishing fights in record time. Meanwhile, Gina Carano, considered the first true star of women's combat sports, has not fought professionally since 2009. After a loss to Cris Cyborg, Carano dedicated herself to an acting career in Hollywood, appearing, among other roles, in a popular series from the Star Wars universe. A key aspect of the event is the involvement of the streaming giant. The Rousey vs. Carano fight will be the first live MMA broadcast in the history of the Netflix service. This decision aligns with the company's new strategy aimed at acquiring rights to live sports spectacles, previously confirmed by the broadcast of Jake Paul's boxing match. Experts predict that, despite the long hiatus of both fighters from the cage, their clash will attract millions of viewers worldwide due to their legendary status. „I've waited for this opportunity for so long that the return now seems natural and necessary.” — Ronda RouseyStatystyki kariery zawodniczek: Ronda Rousey 12:7 Gina Carano; Ronda Rousey 2:1 Gina Carano; Ronda Rousey 3:3 Gina Carano10 lat — the amount of time that has passed since Rousey ended her sports careerDroga do walki w Inglewood: February 17, 2026 — Official fight announcement by MVP; May 16, 2026 — Rousey vs Carano fight at Intuit Dome

Mentioned People

  • Ronda Rousey — Former UFC champion, pioneer of women's combat sports, returning to the cage after a 10-year break.
  • Gina Carano — MMA legend and actress who has not fought professionally since 2009.
  • Jake Paul — Influencer, boxer, and sports promoter, co-owner of Most Valuable Promotions.
  • Nakisa Bidarian — Business partner of Jake Paul in the MVP federation.