Ronda Rousey’s Anticipated Return to MMA
If everything goes as planned, Ronda Rousey’s return to mixed martial arts will soon be a reality.
The UFC Hall of Famer, who played a pivotal role in elevating women’s MMA in the early 2010s, shared with the Post that she is set to battle fellow trailblazer Gina Carano on May 16th.
During an in-studio interview Wednesday, Rousey, now 39, announced her comeback ahead of a press conference in Midtown, promoting Netflix’s inaugural streaming MMA event.
Though Rousey and Carano are both legends, she mentioned that there’s no need for multiple matches in this particular instance. The upcoming fight—which will be headlined by them—might actually mark her final foray into the MMA scene with Most Valuable Promotions.
Competing at 135 pounds, Rousey, during her dominant reign from 2012 to 2015, secured titles in both Strikeforce and the UFC, achieving eight consecutive championship victories. An Olympic bronze medalist in judo, she overwhelmed many of the top female competitors of her time, finishing six title bouts in under a minute, with her fastest being just 14 seconds.
However, after consecutive losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes—both boxing Hall of Famers and among the best in women’s MMA—she lost interest in fighting. Still, Rousey didn’t see her break as a retirement phase.
Since her last bout in late 2016 against Nunes, Rousey has made a name for herself in professional wrestling with WWE and even ventured into minor Hollywood roles. Yet, her focus has increasingly shifted towards her family, which includes two young daughters and two college-aged stepsons through her husband, Travis Brown, whose career flourished simultaneously with his UFC heavyweight endeavors.
Interestingly, the idea of fighting again didn’t resonate with her—until recently.
“I really didn’t feel any inclination to return,” Rousey explained. “It was my coach, Ricky, who encouraged me to get back on the mat while helping him achieve his black belt in judo.”
She added, “I had built up barriers thinking I could never compete again. I was working through some health issues and found it helpful to communicate my martial arts philosophy with someone who truly gets it, which reignited my passion for the sport.”
About 15 months ago, the spark for a comeback really hit her, coincidentally while she was nine months pregnant with her second daughter. She decided to contact UFC CEO Dana White about a possible dream fight with Carano.
Nevertheless, the UFC didn’t meet her financial expectations, leading Rousey and Carano, now 43, to turn to MVP and its founders, Jake Paul and Nakisa Vidalian, ultimately finalizing their bout as the main event for Netflix, set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
While Rousey vs. Carano is the flagship fight, the card also features Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz in separate matchups. Both have kept themselves in the headlines while Rousey’s last appearance dates back nearly nine and a half years and Carano’s to about 17 years ago. MVP and Netflix deemed this matchup compelling enough to headline their event, and if all goes well, it could pave the way for more frequent events in the MMA landscape.
Rousey expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to headline alongside such prominent figures in the sport, despite her long absence.
“I hold deep respect for the guys on this card who choose to remain humble and still play a role in this event,” Rousey noted. “This concept emerged from a pregnant woman sitting in an office chair… and we are thrilled to be collaborating with these legendary fighters who share our vision and aspirations.”
“I just aim to make them proud to be part of this fight card and provide an unforgettable match.”
