Ronda Rousey Calls on Fighters to Emulate Her and Gina Carano's Approach

Former UFC champion believes women's MMA needs to focus more on storytelling and media presence.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:21am

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A vibrant, expressionist painting depicting the raw energy and movement of two female MMA fighters facing off in the Octagon, their forms dissolving into neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the intensity of the sport.Two pioneering women's MMA fighters, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, prepare to clash in a highly anticipated comeback bout that aims to inspire the next generation of stars.Inglewood Today

Ronda Rousey is making a comeback to the Octagon in 2026, ten years after her last fight. She will face fellow pioneer Gina Carano in a bout that will stream on Netflix. Rousey believes that while women's MMA has progressed, many current fighters are missing the fundamental aspect of building their brand and engaging with media. She wants upcoming talent to learn from how she and Carano have handled the lead-up to their fight, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and media awareness beyond just winning fights.

Why it matters

Rousey was a trailblazer for women's MMA, helping open doors for female fighters. Her return, alongside Carano, represents an opportunity to showcase the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of stars. Rousey's comments highlight the need for fighters to develop a well-rounded approach that combines athletic excellence with strong media and brand-building skills.

The details

Rousey will face Carano in a highly anticipated bout at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with the fight being streamed on Netflix. Rousey believes that while women's MMA has made great strides, many current fighters are missing the key aspect of building their brand and engaging with media. She wants upcoming talent to learn from how she and Carano have handled the lead-up to their fight, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and media awareness beyond just winning fights. Rousey specifically called out Kayla Harrison, who had previously called her 'irrelevant', stating that fighters need to realize that their job is not just to win fights, but to get people to watch their fights.

  • Ronda Rousey's last fight was in 2016.
  • Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will face off in 2026, marking ten years since Rousey's last appearance.
  • The fight will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who is making a comeback to the Octagon in 2026 to face Gina Carano. Rousey is a trailblazer for women's MMA and believes fighters need to focus on storytelling and media presence beyond just winning fights.

Gina Carano

A pioneer of women's MMA who will face Ronda Rousey in a highly anticipated bout in 2026. Carano and Rousey are seen as early stars of the women's game.

Kayla Harrison

A prominent MMA fighter who had previously called Ronda Rousey 'irrelevant', prompting Rousey's response about the importance of media and storytelling in the sport.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if (women's MMA) has leveled up yet. I think they've done an incredible job (since I left), but a lot of them need to realize that just going in and fighting isn't the whole job, and really putting a lot of thought into media.”

— Ronda Rousey, Former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion

“Your job isn't to win fights, it's to get people to watch your fights. It's awesome that people are watching the brand...but it's important for all the women to learn from this, from what me and Gina are doing, and what we've done in the past.”

— Ronda Rousey, Former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion

What’s next

The highly anticipated fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano is set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California in 2026, marking ten years since Rousey's last appearance in the Octagon. The bout will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, further expanding the reach of women's MMA.

The takeaway

Ronda Rousey's return to the Octagon represents an opportunity to showcase the growth of women's MMA and inspire the next generation of stars. Her comments highlight the need for fighters to develop a well-rounded approach that combines athletic excellence with strong media and brand-building skills, in order to truly elevate the sport and connect with fans.