Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano Set to Fight in May
In a long-awaited matchup, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are finally set to face off in a cage this May, a clash that mixed martial arts enthusiasts have eagerly anticipated for over a decade.
On Tuesday, Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions revealed that the fight will take place on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, marking the end of nearly ten years of waiting. This event will be Netflix’s inaugural MMA broadcast and MVP’s initial venture into the sport. Rousey and Carano will compete at featherweight (145 pounds) over five rounds, fighting in a hexagonal cage and using 4-ounce gloves.
“I’ve been looking forward to announcing this for such a long time,” Rousey shared with Netflix. “Gina Carano and I are about to participate in the biggest superfight in women’s mixed martial arts history. We’re collaborating with MVP, a promoter that prioritizes the fighters, and Netflix, the fiercest streaming service out there. This is for every MMA fan, whether they are past, present, or future.”
Carano mentioned that Rousey personally reached out to her regarding the match.
Two MMA legends are coming to Netflix.
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
Saturday, May 16th
Live streaming only on Netflix#RouseyCarano— Netflix (@netflix)
“Ronda told me there was really only one person who could make a return, and she dreamed of making this match happen,” Carano added. “This is a true honor. I aim to finish this fight with a win, which I know won’t be easy, but I’m ready for it.”
The fight announcement comes precisely five years after Disney removed Carano from The Mandalorian due to her social media activity. Since then, she has primarily engaged in projects outside major studios, including the film Terror on the Prairie released in 2022. MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidalian have referred to Rousey and Carano as pivotal figures in women’s MMA, stating they are “icons who shattered glass ceilings.”
Carano is expected to resume training with Syndicate MMA at the end of 2025. Her coach, John Wood, discussed her return on The Ariel Helwani Show, mentioning that she expressed a desire to get back into fighting. “I received a call a few months ago indicating she wanted to get back on track; she felt an itch she needed to scratch and was curious about what would happen,” Wood said. “I was all in.”
The UFC had attempted to arrange this fight multiple times during Rousey’s championship reign, particularly in 2014, but talks ultimately fell apart.
