Ronda Rousey talks potential UFC return and if Gina Carano fight will be her last
Ronda Rousey has confirmed that her fight against Gina Carano this weekend will very likely be her last. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show to promote the Netflix fight for MVP, Rousey admitted that this was it for her and she would not be returning to the UFC or any other promotion to fight again.
Rousey has not been in competitive MMA for some time, with her last UFC appearances being her losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
There is currently no indication that Rousey will be returning to pro wrestling either, with her mentioning during the interview with Helwani that she wants to start having more children with her husband Travis Browne as soon as possible, ruling her out of any combat sports or wrestling in the near future.
Ronda Rousey on potential UFC Return
“To the UFC, to fight? No. I promised my husband that this is the last one. He is the one that I have to convince to get on board with this promoter shit after. He’s not going for the fighting at all after this. Honestly, I want to get started having babies again right away. I want to have at least two more, if I can. I can’t be taking detours anymore. This is the peak. I can’t go higher than this. This is the dream fight and the absolute pinnacle for me. This is the perfect way to end it.
Credit to MMANews for the transcription
Rousey recently appeared in AEW alongside her long time friend Marina Shafir, although that was a one-off appearance to help promote this upcoming Netflix broadcast rather than a match in All Elite Wrestling.
FAQ and context
Is this really Ronda Rousey’s last fight?
By her own words, yes. Rousey told Ariel Helwani plainly: “I promised my husband that this is the last one.” She also called the Carano bout “the peak” and “the absolute pinnacle.” Combat sports retirements have a habit of getting unretired, but everything Rousey said on the show pointed to a hard stop.
How long has Rousey been out of MMA?
Her last sanctioned MMA bout was the Amanda Nunes loss at UFC 207 on 30 December 2016. The Carano fight is her first combat sports appearance since, and, if she’s to be believed, her last.
Where is the Rousey vs Carano fight being shown?
On Netflix, as part of the streamer’s ongoing push into live combat sports.