In a bold strategic pivot, boxer Jake Paul is steering his promotional company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), into the world of mixed martial arts. The venture kicks off with a spectacular announcement: an MMA mega-fight featuring two legendary fighters emerging from retirement. The bout is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, pitting Gina Carano against Ronda Rousey in a highly anticipated clash.
A Stunning Comeback After Decades
This fight card represents a remarkable achievement, considering the combined 26 years both women have spent away from competitive MMA. While the matchup arrives over a decade later than many fans might have hoped, it still promises to deliver significant entertainment value and nostalgia for the sport's enthusiasts.
Fighter Backgrounds and Careers
Gina Carano, now 43 years old, has not competed in the octagon since August 2009. Following her MMA retirement, she successfully transitioned to a career in film and television, becoming a recognizable figure in entertainment. During her fighting days, Carano participated in only eight professional bouts, with her last official competition being a loss to Cris Cyborg for the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Championship.
Ronda Rousey, aged 39, stands as one of the most successful women in MMA history. The former UFC women's bantamweight champion retired from mixed martial arts in 2016 after a storied career. She captured the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship in 2012 and successfully defended the title seven times, including during its transition to the UFC. Her reign ended with a loss to Holly Holm in 2015, followed by a final UFC appearance against Amanda Nunes in December 2016. Post-retirement, Rousey parlayed her combat skills into a brief professional wrestling career with WWE.
Fan Reactions and Industry Buzz
While both names remain instantly recognizable to MMA fans, the announcement has generated mixed reactions across social media platforms. Many enthusiasts expressed confusion and surprise that such a fight is materializing long after either fighter's competitive prime.
On platform X, one user commented, 'Wow.... this is really going to be mid,' while another noted, 'This would have been fun in 2014. Not so much in 2026.' Critical voices questioned the event's appeal, with posts reading 'Who is actually going to watch this trash,' and humorous takes suggesting 'Is this the nursing home tour?' Another fan joked, 'Wow, you gotta think Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is gonna be the most anticipated fight of 2011.'
Significance for Most Valuable Promotions
This event marks MVP's inaugural foray into mixed martial arts promotion, representing a significant expansion for Jake Paul's business ventures beyond boxing. The choice of such high-profile, albeit retired, fighters demonstrates an ambitious approach to capturing audience attention and establishing credibility in the competitive MMA landscape.
Despite the extended hiatuses of both athletes, the fight leverages their enduring star power and legacy within women's MMA. It raises questions about fighter safety, competitive readiness, and the evolving nature of combat sports entertainment, where nostalgia and spectacle sometimes intersect with athletic competition.
The May 16 event at the Intuit Dome will undoubtedly draw scrutiny from both dedicated MMA followers and casual observers, making it a pivotal moment for MVP's future in martial arts promotion and Jake Paul's growing influence across multiple combat sports disciplines.
