Gina Carano is returning to MMA action after a 17-year absence, Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Tuesday, as Carano gears up to face Ronda Rousey live on Netflix on May 16th.
The bout marks Rousey’s first MMA appearance since 2016 and Carano’s first since 2009. Both fighters date back to the early days of women’s MMA, helping to build the sport’s mainstream audience. Carano competed from 2006 to 2009 before transitioning to an acting career that included roles in Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, Deadpool, and The Mandalorian.
Rousey became the first woman signed to the UFC in 2012. She went on to hold the women’s bantamweight title with six consecutive defenses — still a UFC record. After losses to Holly Holm in 2015 and Amanda Nunes in 2016, Rousey stepped away from the ring, becoming a three-time WWE champion from 2018 to 2022.
“Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for,” Carano said. “This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win.”
Rousey framed the matchup as a major milestone. “Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history,” she said.
How to watch the Gina Carano vs Ronda Rousey MMA fight on Netflix
Using four-ounce gloves inside a hexagon cage, the May 16th bout will subsequently span five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA. Most Valuable Promotions — co-founded by Jake Paul — is behind the event, broadcast live on Netflix.
A kickoff press conference is scheduled for March 5th in Los Angeles, with additional fights to be added at a later date.
