Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano MMA Superfight Set for Netflix on May 16 — Historic Return for Two Legends

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are set to write a major new chapter in combat sports history by stepping back into the MMA ring together in Netflix’s first live mixed martial arts event, scheduled for May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

More than a decade after they walked away from competitive fighting, these two pioneers — both credited with helping to elevate women’s MMA — will finally collide in a featherweight bout (145 pounds) under Unified Rules of MMA. The matchup is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the combat sports company co-founded by Jake Paul, and streamed live and globally on Netflix at no extra cost, elevating it far beyond a typical sporting event.

MMA Legends Return

At 39 years old, Rousey (12-2 professional MMA record, including nine submissions and three knockouts) has not fought since 2016, when losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes ended her UFC run. Her legacy, however, is undeniable — she was an Olympic bronze medalist in judo, the first female UFC bantamweight champion, and a major star who helped push women’s MMA into the mainstream.

Carano, now 43, was one of the earliest female stars in mixed martial arts, starring in historic fights during the sport’s formative years and gaining widespread attention before retiring with a 7-1 record in 2009. Beyond MMA, she became a recognized figure in Hollywood, appearing in films and hit television series.

Both women have remained household names, making this bout far more than just a return fight — it’s a collision of two legacies that helped define women’s MMA.

What the Fight Means for MMA and Netflix

Rousey vs. Carano isn’t just another combat sports weekend headliner — it marks Netflix’s entry into live MMA broadcasting, following the streamer’s success with live boxing and other high-profile sports events. The platform’s expansion into live MMA represents a bold move toward major sporting content traditionally dominated by cable and pay-per-view services.

According to Netflix’s VP of Sports, the matchup “brings together generational stars” and sets a new precedent for live event streaming. This fight could redefine how mainstream audiences experience MMA outside traditional fight networks and pay-per-view models.

Tickets are set to go on sale March 5, and a public press conference to officially launch the fight buildup is scheduled for the same day at the Intuit Dome, where fans and media will get the first face-to-face look at the two legends preparing for battle.

Fighters’ Perspectives

In statements announcing the matchup, both fighters emphasized mutual respect and the history this bout represents. Rousey has said she wanted this fight specifically — that Carano was the one person she would come out of retirement for — and the two exchanged words reflecting a deep connection between their legacies and the evolution of the sport.

Carano, long a trailblazer for women in MMA before its inclusion in the UFC, acknowledged Rousey’s role in advancing the sport and expressed confidence and excitement for the matchup, even though each fighter has been away from competition for many years.

What to Expect

The May 16 fight is scheduled for five five-minute rounds inside a hexagon cage, and both women will use four-ounce MMA gloves under the Unified Rules, similar to other major global promotions.

Whether the matchup ends in a quick finish or a dramatic back-and-forth contest, it’s already being billed as one of the most anticipated women’s combat sports events of all time — a reunion of the past and celebration of the future for MMA fans around the world.

The Build-Up

The official promotional rollout begins in early March, and headlines are expected to grow as hype videos, training announcements and promotional interviews begin circulating. With two of the sport’s most influential figures coming out of retirement on the same night in the biggest MMA broadcast Netflix has attempted yet, Rousey vs. Carano is shaping up to be more than just a fight — it's a generational moment.