Ronda Rousey Ends Decade-Long Retirement for Historic MMA Showdown
In a stunning announcement that has sent shockwaves through the combat sports world, former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has confirmed her return to mixed martial arts after a ten-year hiatus. The iconic fighter will face fellow MMA trailblazer Gina Carano in a highly anticipated five-round bout scheduled for May 16 in Los Angeles.
A Clash of Pioneers in Women's Combat Sports
Rousey, who dominated the UFC with her judo-based skills and held the bantamweight title until her defeat by Holly Holm in 2015, subsequently lost to Amanda Nunes in 2016 before retiring from MMA to pursue a successful career in WWE. Her comeback marks a significant moment for the sport, as she was widely regarded as one of its biggest stars during her peak.
Carano, meanwhile, established herself as a formidable force in the early days of women's MMA, winning her first seven professional fights before being defeated by Cris Cyborg in 2009. Following that loss, she transitioned to a Hollywood acting career, but now returns to the cage for this historic matchup.
Promotional Powerhouse and Streaming Giant Join Forces
The fight will be promoted by Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and broadcast live on Netflix, representing a major collaboration between the disruptive promotional company and the streaming platform. This partnership aims to deliver what organizers are calling "the biggest super fight in women's combat sport history."
Rousey expressed her excitement about the announcement, stating: "I've been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women's combat sport history! And we're partnering with the fighter-first promotion MVP as well as the biggest and baddest streamer on the planet Netflix. This is for all MMA fans past, present and future."
Mutual Respect and Historic Significance
Carano responded with equal enthusiasm, revealing that Rousey had personally approached her about the fight. "Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for and it has been her dream to make this fight happen between us," Carano explained. "She thanked me for opening up doors for her in her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honour."
Carano added: "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 me as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community. What a time to be alive."
Disruptive Vision for Combat Sports
Jake Paul and his business associate Nakisa Bidarian emphasized the historic nature of the matchup, noting: "MVP has always been driven by disruption and delivering the biggest moments in combat sports on a global scale, and today we are officially bringing that energy to MMA for the first time. Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are the two most formative figures in the history of women's MMA; they are the icons who shattered the glass ceiling and helped build the foundation this sport stands on."
They continued: "MVP's conviction in women's boxing was driven by the success achieved by Ronda Rousey, who was the biggest star of the entire sport of MMA during her career. Following the unprecedented success of our boxing partnership, we are proving that MVP and Netflix can create blockbuster live events in multiple sports that engage fans across generations. This is what we do."
The May 16 event promises to be a landmark moment not just for the fighters involved, but for the entire landscape of women's mixed martial arts, bringing together two pioneers whose careers helped shape the modern sport.
