Ronda Rousey declares war on UFC in pro-wrestling-style storyline

Rousey signs with MVP to fight Gina Carano, setting up clash with former employer Dana White and the UFC

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Former UFC star Ronda Rousey has signed with Jake Paul's MVP promotion to fight Gina Carano, but she's made it clear the fight is just the start of a larger war against the UFC and her former boss Dana White. Rousey, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, says she wants to "kick up a war" with the promotion that made her a global superstar, accusing the UFC of "suffering from a lack of competition." White has wished Rousey well, but the bad blood between the two appears to be reignited as Rousey aligns with an upstart promotion looking to take on the UFC.

Why it matters

Rousey's declaration of war on the UFC is a high-profile clash between two of the biggest names in combat sports, with the added drama of Rousey's history with the promotion and White. It sets up a potential showdown between the UFC and the upstart MVP promotion, led by Jake Paul, that could captivate fans and draw mainstream attention to the sport.

The details

Rousey had been in talks with the UFC about fighting Gina Carano, but a deal couldn't be worked out. Feeling jilted, Rousey decided to take the fight to MVP instead, saying she wants to "kick up a war" with the UFC and Dana White, her former boss who was extremely protective of her during her UFC heyday. Rousey believes the UFC is "suffering from a lack of competition" and that she would be White's "most favorite adversary he's ever had."

  • Rousey's fight with Carano is scheduled for May 2026 on Netflix.
  • Rousey was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC women's bantamweight champion who was one of the key figures in the UFC's ultimate success, but has had a contentious relationship with the promotion in recent years.

Dana White

The president of the UFC, who has been extremely protective of Rousey's legacy and legacy within the promotion over the years.

Gina Carano

A 43-year-old former MMA fighter who will be facing Rousey in the first MMA event promoted by MVP.

Jake Paul

The co-founder of MVP, the upstart promotion that has signed Rousey to fight Carano, setting up a clash with the UFC.

Nakisa Bidarian

The co-founder of MVP and a former executive of the UFC.

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What they’re saying

“It's a dream fight and a superfight and everything. But I feel like the story behind it is not just this fight, but a lot of it is MVP vs. UFC. And that's where I'm going to f***ing go really had in the trenches. Because they're suffering from a lack of competition...”

— Ronda Rousey (MVP Uncut)

“Look, if [MVP] gets that co-main done, and I'm hoping we get that co-main done, it's going to be an unbelievable one-two punch, you know?”

— Nakisa Bidarian, Co-founder, MVP (MVP Uncut)

“Her and I have been talking about this since last year. It just didn't work out, and I'm happy for her. Listen, me and Gina are in a really good place we weren't at at one point, and I'm happy for both of them.”

— Dana White, President, UFC (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ronda Rousey's return to combat sports has taken on the feel of a pro-wrestling storyline, as she has aligned with an upstart promotion in MVP to take on her former employer, the UFC, and its president Dana White. This clash of titans has the potential to captivate fans and draw mainstream attention to the sport, but also raises questions about the future of Rousey's relationship with the UFC and White, who has been a staunch defender of her legacy over the years.