Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano to End MMA Retirements for Highly Anticipated Fight

The two pioneering fighters will face off in a bout promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions on Netflix.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most iconic figures in the history of women's MMA, have announced that they will end their lengthy retirements to fight each other on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout will be promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, the combat sports promotion established by influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian, and will be broadcast on Netflix.

Why it matters

Rousey and Carano were instrumental in bringing women's MMA into the mainstream, with Carano leading the sport's transition to broadcast television and Rousey securing the enthusiastic acceptance of women's MMA by Dana White and the UFC. This highly anticipated matchup between the two trailblazers is sure to generate significant interest from MMA fans.

The details

Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) will fight at 145 pounds for five five-minute rounds. Rousey, 39, hasn't fought since 2016, while the 43-year-old Carano's MMA career ended in 2009. Despite their lengthy absences, both fighters remain iconic figures in the sport's history.

  • The fight will take place on May 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
  • Rousey, 39, hasn't fought since 2016.
  • Carano, 43, last fought in 2009.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A pioneering fighter who rose to become arguably the biggest star in all of MMA after winning an Olympic medal in judo in 2008. Rousey won the UFC's first-ever women's bout in 2013 to claim the bantamweight title belt and still holds the promotion's record with six title defenses.

Gina Carano

A pioneering fighter who led women's MMA into the mainstream of broadcast television. Carano fought in the first Nevada-sanctioned MMA bout between women in 2006 and won a series of fights that made her a network television draw in the sport's early days.

Jake Paul

An influencer-turned-boxer who, along with his business partner Nakisa Bidarian, established the combat sports promotion Most Valuable Promotions, which is staging the Rousey-Carano fight.

Nakisa Bidarian

The business partner of Jake Paul who, along with Paul, established the combat sports promotion Most Valuable Promotions, which is staging the Rousey-Carano fight.

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What they’re saying

“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! This is for all MMA fans past, present and future.”

— Ronda Rousey

“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. She thanked me for opening up doors for her in her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome. This is as much for Ronda and me as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community.”

— Gina Carano

What’s next

The highly anticipated Rousey-Carano fight will take place on May 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will be broadcast on Netflix.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the most iconic figures in women's MMA history is a significant event for the sport, as it brings together two trailblazers who were instrumental in elevating the profile of women's MMA and paving the way for its greater acceptance and popularity.