Ronda Rousey to return to MMA after 10-year hiatus

Former UFC champion to face Gina Carano in one-off comeback fight

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will return to competition after a decade-long break, facing fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This is expected to be a one-time comeback fight for Rousey, who last competed in 2016.

Why it matters

Rousey's return to the octagon is a highly anticipated event, as she was one of the most dominant and popular fighters in UFC history before her abrupt retirement. This fight against Carano, another trailblazer for women's MMA, will generate significant interest and attention in the sport.

The details

The fight between Rousey and Carano will take place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. It will be Rousey's first competitive fight since her loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016, which marked the end of her UFC career. Carano, who has not competed since 2009, was one of the first women to gain mainstream popularity in MMA.

  • Ronda Rousey last competed in the UFC in 2016.
  • The comeback fight against Gina Carano will take place on May 16, 2026.

The players

Ronda Rousey

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion and one of the most dominant and popular fighters in MMA history.

Gina Carano

Fellow MMA pioneer and one of the first women to gain mainstream popularity in the sport.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Rousey's return to MMA, even if just for a one-off fight, will reignite interest in the sport and serve as a nostalgic reunion for fans who followed her dominant run in the UFC. The matchup with Carano adds an extra layer of significance, as the two were among the first women to bring widespread attention to women's MMA.