Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano Return to MMA for Historic Fight on Netflix

Two legendary female fighters, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, are returning to the MMA ring. This fight is 17 years in the making for Carano and nearly 10 for Rousey.
By Newsroom | MMA, Combat Sports |

The return of two of women's mixed martial arts most recognizable figures, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, has generated significant attention, marking a landmark event as Netflix enters the professional MMA landscape. The upcoming bout is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, under the promotion of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). This event signifies a major step for Netflix, which aims to leverage the star power of Rousey and Carano for its inaugural live MMA broadcast. The fight will be contested under Unified Rules of MMA, with both athletes returning after lengthy periods away from the sport.

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Event Details and Participants

Ronda Rousey, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion and Hall of Famer, will step back into the MMA cage for the first time in nearly a decade. Her last professional MMA fight was in 2016. Gina Carano, a pioneering figure in women's MMA, also returns after a 17-year retirement. Both fighters have transitioned into acting careers during their time away from combat sports.

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The fight is scheduled to take place at 145 pounds, a weight class that represents a slight increase for Rousey. It will consist of five 5-minute rounds, utilizing 4-ounce gloves within a standard MMA cage. A press conference is slated for March 5 at the Intuit Dome to officially launch the event.

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The Genesis of the Matchup

The idea for this highly anticipated bout appears to have originated with Rousey. Reports indicate that Rousey reached out to Gina Carano, expressing a desire for this specific fight. Carano has stated that Rousey approached her about the possibility of competing again, a sentiment echoed by Rousey herself, who reportedly conceived the idea while nine months pregnant. This personal connection and mutual respect between the two fighters seem to have been instrumental in making the event a reality.

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Promotion and Broadcast

The event is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a company co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. This partnership with MVP marks Netflix's ambitious entry into the professional MMA market. The fight will be streamed exclusively live on Netflix, a move that underscores the streaming giant's expanding interest in live sports content. While this bout is confirmed, further fights on the card are expected to be announced at a later date.

Fighters' Careers and Legacies

Both Rousey and Carano are recognized as trailblazers who significantly impacted the growth and visibility of women's MMA.

  • Ronda Rousey:

  • Former UFC Bantamweight Champion.

  • First woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

  • Known for her dominant striking and signature armbar submissions, often securing quick finishes.

  • Her career saw an abrupt halt after back-to-back losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.

  • Subsequently pursued professional wrestling and acting.

  • Gina Carano:

  • A prominent figure in the early days of women's MMA, particularly in Strikeforce.

  • Known for her striking prowess and engaging fighting style.

  • Retired from MMA a few years before Rousey's professional debut, making this a "super-fight" that never materialized during their active careers.

  • Transitioned into a successful acting career, appearing in major film franchises.

  • Carano settled a lawsuit last year with Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company.

Path to the Fight and UFC's Role

While the fight is being billed as a monumental event, it is noteworthy that it will not be held under the UFC banner. Ronda Rousey had reportedly approached Dana White, the UFC President, about a potential fight with Carano. However, discussions did not lead to the bout being finalized within the UFC organization. This outcome prompted Rousey and her team to seek alternative avenues, ultimately leading to the MVP and Netflix partnership.

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Contrasting Retirements and Comebacks

Both athletes have built substantial careers outside of MMA following their departures from active competition. Rousey, after her MMA career concluded, ventured into professional wrestling with WWE, even headlining WrestleMania. Carano has had a notable career in Hollywood. The decision to return after such extended breaks, coupled with their established legacies, amplifies the significance of this matchup.

Key Event Details

FeatureDetail
Event DateMay 16
LocationIntuit Dome, Inglewood, California
ParticipantsRonda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
Weight Class145 pounds (Women's Featherweight)
Rounds5 rounds, 5 minutes each
Gloves4-ounce gloves
PromotionMost Valuable Promotions (MVP)
BroadcastLive on Netflix
SanctioningProfessionally sanctioned under Unified Rules of MMA
Carano's ReturnAfter 17-year retirement
Rousey's ReturnAfter nearly 10-year retirement

Conclusion

The forthcoming bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano represents a confluence of legacies and a new frontier for MMA broadcasting. Their decision to end extended retirements for a high-profile showdown, facilitated by Most Valuable Promotions and broadcast by Netflix, underscores their enduring impact on combat sports. The event is positioned as a significant moment, aiming to capture the attention of both long-time MMA fans and a broader global audience. The circumstances surrounding the fight's promotion outside of the UFC add a layer of intrigue, highlighting the evolving landscape of professional combat sports.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano fighting on May 16?
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two famous MMA fighters, are returning to the sport for a special fight. This event is happening on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in California and will be shown live on Netflix. Both fighters have been away from MMA for many years.
Q: What are the details of the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight?
The fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will take place on May 16. It will be at 145 pounds and will have five rounds, with each round lasting 5 minutes. They will use 4-ounce gloves. The event is promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will be broadcast live on Netflix.
Q: Why is this fight happening outside of the UFC?
Ronda Rousey talked to UFC President Dana White about fighting Gina Carano, but it did not happen with the UFC. Because of this, Rousey and her team decided to make the fight happen with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix instead.
Q: What is the importance of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano returning to MMA?
Both Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are important figures who helped women's MMA become more popular. Rousey is a former UFC champion, and Carano was a pioneer in the sport. Their return after long breaks, especially for a fight shown on Netflix, is a big moment for women's fighting and for how sports are shown online.
Q: How did this fight come about?
Ronda Rousey thought of the idea for this fight and reached out to Gina Carano. Carano said that Rousey contacted her about fighting again. Rousey has said she thought of the idea while she was nine months pregnant. This personal connection helped make the fight happen.