Ronda Rousey returns to MMA, faces Gina Carano in May

The bout will mark Netflix's first MMA event and be contested in a hexagon cage.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Ronda Rousey, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion, will return to MMA for the first time since 2016 to face Gina Carano at an event promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and hosted by Netflix on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The fight will be contested at 145 pounds over five, 5-minute rounds.

Why it matters

Rousey and Carano are considered two of the most influential figures in the history of women's MMA, helping to build the foundation of the sport. Their bout will be a highly anticipated 'superfight' that could draw significant interest from MMA fans. Additionally, this will mark Netflix's first foray into live MMA event broadcasting.

The details

Rousey (12-2) was the UFC's first women's bantamweight champion and one of the promotion's biggest stars, defending her title seven times before suffering a stunning upset loss to Holly Holm in 2015. She then lost to Amanda Nunes in 2016 before stepping away from MMA to pursue a career in professional wrestling with the WWE. Carano (7-1) was a trailblazer in women's MMA, competing in Strikeforce and EliteXC in the years before the UFC added women's divisions. Her 2009 bout against Cris Cyborg is credited with helping put women's MMA on the map.

  • Rousey will return to MMA for the first time since 2016 on May 16, 2026.
  • Carano last competed in MMA in 2009.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion and one of the biggest stars in MMA history.

Gina Carano

A pioneer of women's MMA who competed in Strikeforce and EliteXC before the UFC added women's divisions.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

The promotion company co-founded by Jake Paul that is organizing this MMA event.

Netflix

The streaming platform that will be hosting and broadcasting the MMA event, marking its first foray into live MMA event coverage.

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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 superfight in women's combat sport history. ... This is for all MMA fans past, present and future.”

— Ronda Rousey (Netflix announcement)

“Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are the two most formative figures in the history of women's MMA; they are the icons who shattered the glass ceiling and helped build the foundation this sport stands on. MVP's conviction in women's boxing was driven by the success achieved by Ronda Rousey, who was the biggest star of the entire sport of MMA during her career. Following the unprecedented success of our boxing partnership, we are proving that MVP and Netflix can create blockbuster live events in multiple sports that engage fans across generations. This is what we do.”

— Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, Co-founders, Most Valuable Promotions (Statement)

“After the record-breaking success in boxing, we wanted our first MMA event to be truly legendary. These are more than just athletes — they are generational stars, and having them headline our MMA debut at the Intuit Dome is a defining moment for us.”

— Gabe Spitzer, VP of Sports, Netflix (Statement)

What’s next

More MMA bouts will be added to the May 16 event in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated return of Ronda Rousey to MMA, paired with the legendary Gina Carano, will mark a significant moment in the sport's history as Netflix makes its first foray into live MMA event coverage.