Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are teaming up with Jake Paul to organize what is set to be one of the most anticipated fights of the summer. In an exciting announcement on Tuesday, the two legendary figures in women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) confirmed they will face each other in a superfight scheduled for May 16, headlining the inaugural MMA event to be streamed live on Netflix.
The matchup is slated to take place as a five-round featherweight bout at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions handling the promotion of this momentous event.
Rousey, 39, has made a significant impact on the world of MMA and remains a towering figure in the sport’s history. An Olympic medalist in judo, Rousey transitioned into mixed martial arts where she became a household name, especially after her ground-breaking reign in the UFC. With a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, she was the first woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018 after defending her championship title six consecutive times. Following a notable career that included defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, Rousey shifted her focus to professional wrestling in WWE.
Carano, 43, made her mark in women’s MMA prior to Rousey’s rise, becoming a trailblazer in the sport. She was part of the first women’s fight televised on Showtime in 2007 alongside Julie Kedzie and later headlined a major MMA event against Cris Cyborg, where she suffered her only defeat. After her retirement from MMA, Carano transitioned into acting, featuring in major franchises such as “Fast & Furious,” Marvel, and “Star Wars.”
The fight between Rousey and Carano is a long-awaited clash that fans have speculated about since the beginning of Rousey’s championship reign in the UFC. Several attempts were made by the UFC in 2014 to bring Carano back for this blockbuster matchup, but those plans never materialized. Recently, both fighters hinted at possible comebacks, sparking excitement in the MMA community.
Carano’s coach, John Wood, confirmed in December that she was indeed exploring a return to fighting, expressing enthusiasm about her potential comeback. Wood highlighted the lasting flame of competitive spirit in Carano, stating that even after years away from the sport, her skills and instincts as a fighter remain sharp.
Further details regarding the Rousey versus Carano fight and Netflix’s venture into live MMA will be announced in the upcoming weeks, generating buzz and anticipation among fans eager to witness this historic clash. The collaboration of these two trailblazing athletes promises a landmark event that highlights the evolution and growing popularity of women’s MMA.