More than a decade after fans first discussed the dream match, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano They officially return to the cage. The two pioneers of women’s mixed martial arts will come out of retirement for a historic superfight, reigniting one of the most talked-about rivalries in the sport.
“I’ve waited a long time to announce this: Gina Carano and I will have the biggest superfight in the history of women’s combat sports!” “And we’re partnering with MVP to promote the #1 fighter as well as the biggest and baddest streamer on the planet Netflix,” Rousey said in a statement to ESPN. “This is for all MMA fans past, present and future. More to come… much, much more.”
On March 10, 2026, Rousey and Carano met during a promotional event for their first public encounter, giving fans an early look at the highly anticipated match.
Here’s everything to know about the fighters and how to watch their long-awaited showdown.
Who is Ronda Rousey?
Rousey is a former UFC bantamweight champion and one of the most influential athletes in women’s mixed martial arts history. Before entering the octagon, she made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo (bronze). She moved to mixed martial arts soon after and quickly rose to prominence in Strikeforce before becoming the first UFC women’s bantamweight champion in 2012.
Rousey defended her title six times and became known for her dominance, particularly her signature armbar finishes, which helped bring women’s mixed martial arts into the mainstream. After two consecutive losses in 2015 and 2016, she walked away from the sport. Rousey later joined WWE, where she became a multiple-time Women’s Champion and headlined WrestleMania, while also appearing in films such as Consumable 3 and Angry 7.
Who is Gina Carano?
Carano is widely viewed as one of the original faces of women’s mixed martial arts. She competed professionally from 2006 to 2009, fighting in EliteXC and Strikeforce and helping bring mainstream attention to the sport at a time when women’s mixed martial arts was still struggling for visibility. She compiled a 7-1 record before losing to Cris Cyborg In her last shift in 2009, after which she moved on to acting.
Carano has built a successful career in Hollywood, starring in films such as… foolish, Fast and Furious 6 and dead pooland later gained renewed fame as Cara Dune in The Mandalorian. However, it was removed from the Disney+ series in 2021 after controversial social media posts that sparked backlash and accusations of offensive and inflammatory speech. Carano denied any wrongdoing and later filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm.
When is Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano?
Rousey and Carano are scheduled to meet in the ring on May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout will be sanctioned under Unified Mixed Martial Arts rules, which will be contested at featherweight (145 pounds) over five rounds.
How can I watch Rosie vs. Carano?
The highly anticipated bout will be broadcast live globally on Netflix, marking the first live mixed martial arts (MMA) event on the streaming platform. Subscribers will be able to watch the fight in real time as part of their Netflix plan.
