Ronda Rousey Makes Historic MMA Return Against Gina Carano – May 16, 2026

Ronda Rousey is officially back in the MMA spotlight, and the news has sent shockwaves through the combat sports world. After nearly a decade away from professional competition, the former UFC bantamweight champion is set to face Gina Carano on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome. This isn’t just another fight—it’s a historic showdown between two trailblazers who helped shape women’s MMA in its early days. Fans have been speculating for years about a Rousey comeback, and now it’s finally happening in spectacular fashion.

The matchup itself promises intrigue on multiple levels. Rousey, with a record of 12‑2, dominated the sport during her UFC reign with her legendary judo and armbar finishes. Carano, on the other hand, was one of the first women to bring mainstream attention to female MMA and boasts a 7‑1 record. Neither has stepped into the cage in years—Rousey since 2016, Carano since 2009—which makes the fight unpredictable. Will ring rust play a role, or will their experience and star power carry them through? Either way, the fight has all the makings of a must-watch spectacle.

Adding to the buzz is the fact that this isn’t a UFC event. Instead, the fight is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and will stream live on Netflix, marking Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast. This opens the door to a new type of event presentation, blending traditional fight hype with global streaming access. Fans around the world will be able to tune in, making this a truly international spectacle and a different kind of stage for two fighters who already made history.

Beyond the fight itself, Rousey has teased that there may be more on the horizon, hinting that this could be the start of a new chapter in her career rather than a one-off event. For casual fans, it’s an opportunity to see two legends compete again; for longtime MMA followers, it’s a nostalgic yet thrilling reminder of the early days of women’s MMA. Either way, the excitement is real, and May 16 cannot come soon enough for fight fans everywhere. This isn’t just a fight—it’s a landmark moment in combat sports history.