Ronda Rousey returning to MMA for Netflix superfight

Nearly a decade after her final UFC fight, Ronda Rousey is returning to mixed martial arts.

Women’s MMA legends Rousey and Gina Carano will face off for the first time ever on Saturday, May 16. The superfight is being held in Inglewood, California at the Intuit Dome and will stream live on Netflix, marking the first time the streaming giant has ever aired a live MMA event. MVP Promotions (founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian) and Netflix are partnering together for the fight.

Rousey last competed in MMA when she lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. She then transitioned over to pro wrestling for WWE and has recently been pursuing a career as a writer. Facing Carano is a dream fight that Rousey has wanted for a long time.

“Been waiting so long to announce this,” Rousey said in a press release. “Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest superfight in women’s combat sport history, and we’re partnering with the fighter-first promoter, MVP, as well as the baddest streamer on the planet, Netflix. This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future.”

The fight will be held inside of a hexagon cage and will be professionally sanctioned with five rounds of five minutes each. Rousey and Carano will fight at featherweight (145 pounds).

Like with Netflix’s boxing specials, this event will be available for all Netflix subscribers at no additional charge.

“After the record-breaking success in boxing, we wanted our first MMA event to be truly legendary,” said Netflix VP of Sports Gabe Spitzer. “These are more than just athletes — they are generational stars, and having them headline our MMA debut at the Intuit Dome is a defining moment for us.”

Rousey getting back into combat sports had been rumored in recent months, with speculation centered around either an MMA fight against Carano or boxing match against Katie Taylor.

“Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for, and it’s been her dream to make this fight happen between us,” Carano said. “She thanked me for opening up doors for her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. 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. This is as much for Ronda and I as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community. What a time to be alive.”

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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.