Cris Cyborg Rips Ronda Rousey Over Netflix Comeback Fight

Former UFC rivals trade barbs as Rousey returns to face Gina Carano

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey is set to face women's MMA pioneer Gina Carano in a highly anticipated bout streaming on Netflix on May 16. However, Rousey's longtime rival Cris Cyborg didn't waste time taking a shot at Rousey, referencing Rousey's past concussions and suggesting she may have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Why it matters

The Rousey-Cyborg rivalry defined an era of women's MMA trash talk, with the two fighters failing to meet in the octagon during their primes. Cyborg's latest jab reignites the feud and raises questions about whether the long-awaited superfight could still happen, even though it would be years past its prime.

The details

Rousey will face Carano on May 16 inside the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with the bout streaming on Netflix. Cyborg, who famously retired Carano back in 2009 under the Strikeforce banner, didn't hold back in her criticism of Rousey, referencing Rousey's past interviews in which she revealed suffering multiple concussions during her career.

  • Rousey and Carano will face off on May 16, 2026 inside the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
  • Cyborg retired Carano back in 2009 under the Strikeforce banner.

The players

Ronda Rousey

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) superstar who is making a comeback to face Gina Carano.

Cris Cyborg

Brazilian former champion who famously retired Gina Carano in 2009 and has been a longtime rival of Ronda Rousey.

Gina Carano

Women's MMA pioneer who will face Ronda Rousey in a highly anticipated bout.

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What they’re saying

“All those years of ducking me at 145 when we were both in our prime?! I thought you had CTE or something?”

— Cris Cyborg (Twitter)

The takeaway

The Rousey-Cyborg rivalry remains one of the most intriguing and unresolved storylines in women's MMA history. Cyborg's latest jab at Rousey reignites the feud and raises questions about whether the long-awaited superfight could still happen, even though it would be years past its prime.