Ronda Rousey ended her nearly decade-long hiatus from mixed martial arts, submitting Gina Carano with her signature armbar just 17 seconds into their bout Saturday night. The fight, billed as a double comeback, saw Rousey, 39, swiftly assert dominance against Carano, 44, who had not competed in 17 years. Rousey has unequivocally stated this will be her final professional contest, marking a definitive end to her storied career.
Quick End to a Long Wait
The highly anticipated matchup, held at MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood, California, dissolved into a brief spectacle. Rousey, a former UFC women's bantamweight champion and one of combat sports' most recognizable figures, needed minimal time to execute her famed finishing move. The victory, Rousey's first MMA appearance in almost ten years, comes after a period of absence following successive losses.
Carano, who transitioned to an acting career after her initial loss in the sport, expressed uncertainty about her own future in MMA. She acknowledged the fight's abrupt conclusion, admitting it was too short to fully showcase her capabilities. However, Carano framed her participation itself as a victory, having reportedly shed over 100 pounds in the two years leading up to the contest.
Read More: Rousey Beats Carano in 17 Seconds on Netflix MMA Debut
Background Narratives
Rousey's departure from the sport previously followed defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Her return was announced after a period where she reached unparalleled stardom levels within combat sports. Carano, a pioneer in women's MMA, had last fought over 17 years ago. The bout was broadcast via 'Netflix', a platform also involved in other recent combat sports events.
'Ronda Rousey' 'Gina Carano' 'mixed martial arts' 'armbar submission' 'retirement' 'comeback fight'
