Ronda Rousey, the former UFC champion, has announced her much-anticipated return to the MMA scene after a ten-year hiatus. She will face fellow MMA and wrestling star Gina Carano on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This fight is expected to attract a significant audience as it will be streamed live on Netflix at no extra cost, marking a new venture for combat sports broadcasting. The announcement was made by Most Valuable Promotions, generating excitement among fans of both fighters.

Rousey, a celebrated judo Olympian and the inaugural UFC women's bantamweight champion, made a name for herself in the octagon and later transitioned to professional wrestling with WWE. Her return to the sport after a decade away is seen as a pivotal moment for women's MMA, especially as she goes head-to-head with Carano, who has also enjoyed a successful career in combat sports and entertainment. Carano, now 43, has been vocal about her enthusiasm for this matchup, signaling a significant clash between two of MMA's early trailblazers.

The fight will be professionally sanctioned under Unified MMA Rules and consists of five rounds, further ensuring its legitimacy and appeal to MMA purists. As both fighters bring a legacy of excellence into the cage, the event not only promises to be a thrilling contest but also showcases the growing mainstream acceptance of women's MMA in the sport's broader landscape. As the date approaches, many are eager to see how this historical showdown will unfold, potentially setting new benchmarks for combat sports media.