Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano to Face Off in Historic MMA Fight on Netflix

The two combat sports stars will headline Netflix's first-ever live MMA event on May 16, 2026.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the biggest names in women's MMA, are set to face off in a highly anticipated fight that will be broadcast live on Netflix. The event, which takes place on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, marks Netflix's first foray into the world of mixed martial arts.

Why it matters

This fight represents a significant moment for both the MMA community and Netflix. For fans, it's a chance to see two legendary fighters square off in the ring. For Netflix, it's an opportunity to expand its sports programming and attract a new audience to the platform.

The details

The fight will be a five-round affair, with each round lasting five minutes. Rousey, a former UFC champion, is making her return to MMA after a nearly decade-long hiatus, while Carano, who competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, is looking to make a comeback of her own.

  • The fight will take place on May 16, 2026.
  • A pre-fight press conference is scheduled for March 5, 2026.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC champion and Olympic judo bronze medalist, Rousey is making her return to MMA after a nearly decade-long hiatus.

Gina Carano

A former MMA fighter who competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, Carano is looking to make a comeback of her own.

Netflix

The streaming giant is making its first foray into the world of live MMA with this historic fight between Rousey and Carano.

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What they’re saying

“Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest superfight in women's combat sport history.”

— Ronda Rousey (Tudum)

“Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for, and it's been her dream to make this fight happen between us.”

— Gina Carano (Tudum)

“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 I as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community. What a time to be alive.”

— Gina Carano (Tudum)

What’s next

The fight will be preceded by a press conference on March 5, 2026, where Rousey and Carano are expected to discuss the matchup in more detail.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated fight between two of the biggest names in women's MMA history is a testament to the growing popularity and legitimacy of the sport. For Netflix, it represents a bold move into the world of live sports programming that could attract a new audience to the platform.