Rousey and Carano to Face Off in Highly Anticipated MMA Comeback Bout

The former MMA pioneers are ending their retirements to compete in a fight that is being billed as the biggest in the sport right now.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most recognizable names in the history of women's MMA, are coming out of retirement to face off in a highly anticipated comeback fight on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout is being promoted by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and will serve as the main event.

Why it matters

Rousey and Carano were pioneers in the early days of women's MMA, helping to legitimize and grow the sport. Their bout is seen as a landmark event that will generate significant interest and attention, even though both fighters are in their late 30s and have been out of competition for several years.

The details

The five-round fight will mark the first time Rousey, 39, has competed since 2016, and the first time Carano, who turns 44 next month, has fought since 2009. Both fighters have pursued entertainment careers in the years since their MMA stardom, but they've now decided to return to the cage for this highly anticipated showdown.

  • The fight is scheduled for May 16, 2026.
  • Rousey was still pregnant when she first proposed the bout more than a year ago.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who was one of the first true superstars of women's MMA, helping to convince the UFC to create women's divisions.

Gina Carano

A pioneer of women's MMA who became the sport's biggest early television star in the 2000s before transitioning to an acting career.

Jake Paul

A YouTuber-turned-boxer who is promoting the Rousey-Carano fight through his Most Valuable Promotions company and hopes to promote more MMA events in the future.

Francis Ngannou

A former UFC heavyweight champion who will also be competing on the Rousey-Carano card, facing off against 40-year-old Philipe Lins.

Kevin Ross

Carano's longtime partner, who is a muay thai fighter.

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What they’re saying

“This is the biggest fight in MMA right now. There are no two people in this sport with more international name recognition than me and Gina — except Conor (McGregor), but no one is going to sanction that.”

— Ronda Rousey (krqe.com)

“We only get to live once, and this makes me feel so alive.”

— Gina Carano (krqe.com)

“This is the only fight I wanted to come back for, the only fight that can inspire me like that.”

— Ronda Rousey (krqe.com)

“Now it's become about changing the entire landscape of the sport and challenging the monolith that the UFC has become.”

— Ronda Rousey (krqe.com)

What’s next

The bout between Rousey and Carano is scheduled for five five-minute rounds and will serve as the main event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on May 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated comeback fight between MMA legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano represents a significant moment for the sport, as two of its most recognizable pioneers return to the cage after lengthy retirements. The bout is being promoted outside of the UFC, signaling a potential shift in the MMA landscape.