Rousey and Carano, MMA Legends, Set for Netflix Fight at 39 and 44

The two biggest stars in women's MMA history will clash in the cage for the first time in over a decade.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the biggest names in the history of women's MMA, are set to face off in a highly anticipated fight on Netflix on May 16. The featherweight bout will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with the 39-year-old Rousey taking on the 44-year-old Carano in what will be the first fight for both women in nearly a decade.

Why it matters

This fight represents a long-awaited matchup between two legends of the sport who helped pave the way for the growth of women's MMA. While both fighters are well past their prime, the bout is still expected to generate significant interest from MMA fans eager to see these two icons compete one final time.

The details

Rousey, a UFC Hall of Famer and the promotion's first women's bantamweight champion, last fought in December 2016, suffering a 48-second TKO loss to Amanda Nunes. Carano, meanwhile, hasn't competed since August 2009, when she lost by first-round TKO to Cris Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce women's featherweight title.

  • Rousey last fought on December 30, 2016 at UFC 207.
  • Carano last fought on August 15, 2009 in Strikeforce.
  • Rousey and Carano will fight on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A UFC Hall of Famer and the promotion's first women's bantamweight champion, Rousey is considered one of the biggest stars in the history of women's MMA.

Gina Carano

Carano was one of the first mainstream stars in women's MMA, headlining the first major women's MMA event when she fought Cris Cyborg in 2009.

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What they’re saying

“She's going to go for it, and I'm going to go for it, and we're just going to let it fly and show everybody the best fight that they've ever seen. Not best women's fight, the best MMA fight they have ever seen.”

— Ronda Rousey (MMA Junkie)

What’s next

The California State Athletic Commission has stated that both Rousey and Carano will undergo extensive medical testing, including neurological and concussion evaluations, to ensure they are fit to compete.

The takeaway

This fight represents a clash of two MMA legends who helped elevate the sport of women's MMA, even if it is coming over a decade after their primes. While concerns remain about their health and ability to compete at a high level after such long layoffs, the bout is still expected to generate significant interest from fans eager to see these two icons share the cage one final time.