Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano to headline Netflix's first MMA event

The former MMA stars will face off in a featherweight bout on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Ronda Rousey, 39, and Gina Carano, 43, will finally meet in the octagon on May 16 in a featherweight bout that will be the first MMA event produced by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and streamed live on Netflix. The fight marks the return of two of the biggest names in women's MMA history, though both fighters are well past their prime.

Why it matters

This bout is significant because it brings together two of the most recognizable names in women's MMA history, and it marks the first foray into MMA for MVP and Netflix, which are looking to challenge the UFC's dominance in the sport. The fight also raises questions about whether aging fighters past their prime should be competing at the highest levels.

The details

Rousey and Carano will compete in a five-round, 145-pound featherweight bout contested under the Unified Rules of MMA. The event will take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and will be MVP's first MMA production, with more fights to be announced. Rousey, who last fought in 2016, has been critical of the WWE culture and said she hid concussions during her UFC title reign. Carano was fired from her role in The Mandalorian in 2021 for posting controversial political views, but later settled a lawsuit against Lucasfilm.

  • Rousey last fought in the UFC in December 2016.
  • Carano last competed in MMA in 2009, losing to Cris Cyborg.
  • Rousey and Carano's fight is scheduled for May 16, 2026.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC bantamweight champion and one of the biggest stars in women's MMA history. Rousey stepped away from MMA in 2016 and later signed with WWE before leaving in 2023.

Gina Carano

A former MMA fighter who transitioned to acting, appearing in films like Fast & Furious 6 and Deadpool. She was fired from her role in The Mandalorian in 2021 for posting controversial political views.

Jake Paul

The co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which is producing the Rousey vs. Carano fight. Paul has also competed in high-profile boxing matches.

Nakisa Bidarian

The co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions and a former UFC executive who had an 'up and down' relationship with Dana White.

Dana White

The president of the UFC, who Rousey says declined to host the fight between her and Carano.

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What they’re saying

“I reached out to Dana and asked him if he would be interested in it, and it didn't exactly work out with the UFC, but it led us here to today.”

— Ronda Rousey (ESPN)

What’s next

The fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano is scheduled for May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

This fight represents a significant challenge to the UFC's dominance in MMA, as two of the sport's biggest names are teaming up with a new promotion and streaming platform to put on an event that could draw massive viewership. However, the advanced age and long layoffs of the fighters raise concerns about whether the bout is in the best interest of the athletes or the sport.