Ronda Rousey is set to make a triumphant return to mixed martial arts after a decade-long hiatus, as she prepares to face Gina Carano in a highly anticipated featherweight bout. The fight is scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and marks a significant milestone as it will be broadcast live on Netflix, making it the streaming service’s first-ever foray into live MMA events.
The matchup will take place at the featherweight limit of 145 pounds and consists of five rounds, each lasting five minutes, utilizing 4-ounce gloves. Rousey, now 39, boasts a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, with 9 of those victories coming by submission and 3 by knockout. She was once the star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship before stepping away from the sport in 2016 following consecutive losses. Since then, Rousey transitioned to professional wrestling with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Expressing excitement about the upcoming bout, Rousey commented, “Been waiting so long to announce this: 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. More to come… much more.”
Carano, 43, enters the ring with a record of 7 wins and 1 loss, with 1 submission and 3 knockouts to her name. After retiring from MMA following a defeat to Cris Cyborg in 2019, she shifted her focus to acting, featuring in films and series such as The Expendables 3, Furious 7, and Disney+’s The Mandalorian. However, her time with Disney ended controversially, resulting in a wrongful termination lawsuit that reached a settlement.
Carano shared the significance of the fight, saying, “Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for and it has been her dream to make this fight happen between us. This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome.”
The anticipation surrounding this match reflects not only the personal stakes for the fighters but also for the fans and the entire MMA community, showcasing the enduring appeal of women’s combat sports. With both fighters expressing their commitment to the bout, this event promises to be an exciting chapter in the history of MMA.