Rousey and 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 fighters in MMA history, 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 in women's MMA, helping to bring the sport into the mainstream. Their fight will be a highly anticipated event for MMA fans, as the two pioneering fighters have not competed in the sport for years.

The details

Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) will fight at 145 pounds for five five-minute rounds. Rousey, 39, last fought in 2016, while the 43-year-old Carano's MMA career ended in 2009. Despite their lengthy absences, the two remain two of the most iconic fighters in MMA history.

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

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former Olympic medalist in judo and one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history, Rousey was the first women's champion in the UFC and held the bantamweight title for several years.

Gina Carano

One of the pioneers of women's MMA, Carano fought in the first Nevada-sanctioned MMA bout between women in 2006 and became 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 (wbal.com)

“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 (wbal.com)

What’s next

The fight between Rousey and Carano is scheduled for May 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated return of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most iconic figures in women's MMA history, will be a must-see event for fans of the sport. Their fight represents a significant moment in the evolution and mainstream acceptance of women's combat sports.