LOS ANGELES — It is the “super fight” that fans dreamed of a decade ago, and now, against all odds, it is finally happening. Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, two of the most influential figures in the history of mixed martial arts, announced on Tuesday that they are ending their retirements to face each other on May 16, 2026.
The bout will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will be streamed live globally on Netflix. This marks the streaming giant’s first foray into live MMA, partnering with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) to stage the event.
A Clash of Eras The matchup is a collision of two distinct eras of women’s combat sports. Gina Carano, now 43, was the original face of women’s MMA, bringing the sport into the mainstream with EliteXC and Strikeforce before stepping away in 2009 to pursue a Hollywood career. Ronda Rousey, 39, picked up the torch shortly after, becoming the UFC’s first female champion and a global superstar before retiring in 2016.
“I’ve been waiting so long to announce this,” Rousey said in a statement. “Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history. This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future.”
The Details The fight will be contested at featherweight (145 lbs) and is scheduled for five five-minute rounds under standard Unified Rules of MMA. Despite their long absences—Rousey hasn’t fought in 10 years and Carano in 17—both fighters expressed a deep mutual respect as the driving force behind the deal.
Carano revealed that it was Rousey who personally requested the fight. “Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for,” Carano shared. “She thanked me for opening up doors for her in her career. This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win, and I anticipate it will not come easy.”
The “Paul” Factor The event is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Known for disrupting traditional boxing models, Paul is now applying his formula to MMA. By securing Netflix as a broadcaster, the fight is guaranteed massive global exposure, bypassing the traditional pay-per-view model.
Tickets for the event are set to go on sale in March, and given the star power involved, a sell-out crowd is expected. For fans who wondered “what if” for nearly two decades, May 16 will finally provide an answer.
