Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano to End MMA Retirements, Fight in May

The two pioneering fighters will face off in a highly anticipated bout at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most iconic figures in the history of women's mixed martial arts, have announced they will end their lengthy retirements to fight each other on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout will be staged 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 trailblazers who helped bring women's MMA into the mainstream, with Carano leading the sport's early days on broadcast television and Rousey securing the UFC's enthusiastic acceptance of women's fights. Their highly anticipated matchup will be a significant event for MMA fans and a chance to celebrate the sport's pioneers.

The details

Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) will fight at 145 pounds for five five-minute rounds. Rousey hasn't competed since 2016, while Carano's MMA career ended in 2009. Despite their lengthy absences, both remain iconic figures in the sport's history, with Rousey becoming a massive star in the UFC and Carano paving the way for women's MMA on television.

  • The fight will take place on May 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A pioneering women's MMA fighter who won an Olympic medal in judo in 2008 and became the biggest star in the UFC, winning the promotion's first-ever women's bout and setting a record with six title defenses.

Gina Carano

One of the first women to compete in sanctioned MMA fights, Carano helped lead the sport into the mainstream on broadcast television in its early days before transitioning to an acting career, including a role in the Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian'.

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, together, 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 as part of Most Valuable Promotions' first foray into MMA promotion.

The takeaway

The return of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most influential figures in the history of women's MMA, will be a significant event for the sport and its fans, celebrating the pioneers who helped bring women's fights into the mainstream and paved the way for the sport's growth and acceptance.