LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Ronda Rousey (12-2 MMA) and Gina Carano (7-1 MMA) are officially set to meet in a high-profile women’s MMA superfight that will mark Rousey’s return to competition after nearly a decade away from the cage.
The bout was announced Tuesday morning, with Rousey confirming she will face Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event will stream live on Netflix and is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotion (MVP), the fight company founded by Jake Paul.
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Rousey last competed in December 2016. She finished her professional MMA career with a 12-2 record, including six successful UFC bantamweight title defenses during her championship reign. Known for her Olympic-level judo and signature armbar submission, Rousey helped usher women’s MMA into the mainstream during her dominant run from 2013 to 2015.
Her final two appearances resulted in knockout losses to Holly Holm in November 2015 and Amanda Nunes in December 2016. Following the defeat to Nunes, Rousey stepped away from mixed martial arts competition.
Carano compiled a 7-1 professional MMA record during her career, competing primarily under the EliteXC and Strikeforce banners. Her lone loss came against Cris Cyborg in a 2009 Strikeforce championship bout. Prior to that defeat, Carano had established herself as one of the sport’s earliest breakout stars, drawing significant television ratings and helping build early mainstream visibility for women’s MMA.
The upcoming contest will be fought at 145 pounds under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. Both fighters will wear four-ounce gloves, and the main event is scheduled for five rounds of five minutes each.
Rousey addressed the announcement in a public statement, calling the matchup “the biggest superfight in women’s combat sport history.” She confirmed the partnership with MVP and Netflix for the event.
After stepping away from MMA, Rousey transitioned to professional wrestling, signing with WWE. During her tenure, she captured the Raw Women’s Championship and became part of the first women’s main event in WrestleMania history.
Carano also moved on from fighting following her 2009 loss, pursuing a career in film and television. She appeared in projects including “Fast & Furious 6,” “Deadpool,” and the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian.”
The May 16 bout represents a matchup between two foundational figures in women’s mixed martial arts. Carano was instrumental in the sport’s early television-era growth, while Rousey later became the first woman signed to the UFC roster and one of the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draws during her championship run.
Additional fights for the May 16 card are expected to be announced at a later date.
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