Quick Read
- Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey will face off in a live MMA superfight on Netflix on May 16, 2026.
- The event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles marks Netflix’s first live mixed martial arts broadcast.
- Both fighters are making significant comebacks: Carano last fought in 2009, and Rousey in 2016.
- The fight, promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, will be five five-minute rounds at 145 lbs.
- Ariel Helwani revealed that a Rousey vs. Carano fight was previously attempted by the UFC in 2014 but fell through.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Mixed martial arts pioneers Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey are set to make their highly anticipated returns to the cage for a live superfight on Netflix, scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This landmark event marks Netflix’s first venture into live mixed martial arts broadcasting and is being heralded by both fighters as a historic moment for women’s combat sports.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by the streaming giant, confirms a matchup that has been years in the making. According to People, Netflix subscribers will be able to stream the fight live, an unprecedented move for the platform. For 43-year-old Carano, who last competed in MMA in 2009, and 39-year-old Rousey, whose last fight was nearly a decade ago in 2016, this bout represents a significant comeback.
The Historic Gina Carano vs. Ronda Rousey Matchup
The superfight will feature five rounds, each lasting five minutes, contested at 145 pounds. Notably, this will be Rousey’s debut in the featherweight division. The event will take place within a hexagon cage, a departure from the traditional octagon or ring, adding another unique element to the spectacle. Both fighters have expressed immense excitement and mutual respect for the upcoming clash.
Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, Ronda Rousey stated, “Been waiting so long to announce this. Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest superfight in women’s combat sport history.” She emphasized that the fight is ‘for all MMA fans past, present and future.’ Gina Carano, reflecting on the opportunity, revealed that Rousey personally approached her. “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 told Tudum, adding, “She thanked me for opening up doors for her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honor.” Carano expressed confidence in securing a win, anticipating a challenging but welcome fight for both themselves and the MMA community.
Netflix’s Bold Entry into Live Sports
This event signifies a major strategic shift for Netflix, expanding its live content offerings beyond boxing. Gabe Spitzer, Netflix’s Vice President of Sports, underscored the importance of the pairing. “After the record-breaking success in boxing, we wanted our first MMA event to be truly legendary,” Spitzer said, as reported by People. He described Carano and Rousey as ‘generational stars’ and highlighted the significance of their headlining Netflix’s MMA debut at the Intuit Dome.
The event is being promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which is making its own entry into the MMA landscape. Rousey took to X, formerly Twitter, to share her excitement, noting the partnership with ‘the fighter-first promotion @MostVpromotions as well as the baddest streamer on the planet @netflix!’
A Long-Awaited Clash with Historical Roots
The idea of a Rousey vs. Carano fight is not new. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed that negotiations for this bout almost materialized with the UFC back in 2014. At that time, Rousey was the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion, while Carano had been retired from active competition for five years. However, according to Carano in a 2019 interview shared by Helwani, plans fell apart due to what she described as excessive pressure from then-UFC President Dana White, who prematurely discussed her signing in the media before she had even assembled a team.
Twelve years later, it is Jake Paul and his manager Nakisa Bidarian who have successfully brought this long-anticipated matchup to fruition. The fight will be preceded by a press conference on March 5, building anticipation for the May event.
Pioneers of Women’s Mixed Martial Arts
Both Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey are widely recognized as pioneers who significantly elevated women’s mixed martial arts into the mainstream. Carano, who competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, was one of the sport’s first female stars, drawing considerable attention for her striking prowess and charisma. Her transition into acting, notably in action films and television, further broadened her public profile.
Ronda Rousey, an Olympic judo bronze medalist, burst onto the MMA scene with an undefeated streak, defending her UFC title six times consecutively. Her dominant performances made her a global superstar before her retirement from the sport in 2016, following TKO losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Rousey later disclosed in 2024 that her ‘concussion history’ played a role in her initial retirement decision. Both fighters’ successful transitions to Hollywood and other ventures are expected to draw interest beyond the core MMA fan base, as noted by Heavy.
Carano’s recent public profile also includes a wrongful termination lawsuit against Disney, after she was fired from the TV show The Mandalorian in February 2021 over controversial social media posts. She settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum in August 2025, bringing closure to a high-profile legal battle before embarking on this highly anticipated return to the cage.
The confluence of two foundational figures in women’s MMA returning to the cage after long absences, coupled with Netflix’s unprecedented live sports streaming debut, positions this fight as a unique cultural and sporting event, transcending typical combat sports matchups.