The “superfight” that MMA fans have dreamed of for over a decade is finally becoming a reality. In a move that has shocked the combat sports world, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are both coming out of retirement to face each other in a massive crossover event this spring.

Here is everything you need to know about this historic comeback.

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The Event: A New Era for MMA

Unlike their previous legendary runs in Strikeforce and the UFC, this fight will not take place under a traditional MMA banner. Instead, it is being promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will be the first-ever live MMA event streamed on Netflix.

• Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
• Location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, CA
• Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs)
• Format: 5 rounds (5 minutes each) under Unified Rules of MMA

How the Deal Happened

The matchup has been a “white whale” for promoters since 2014. While the UFC famously tried to sign Carano to fight Rousey during Ronda’s peak championship reign, negotiations fell through.

According to Carano, the spark for this 2026 return came directly from Rousey. Rousey reportedly approached Carano, stating she was the only person she would ever consider coming out of retirement to fight. After the UFC allegedly passed on the “gimmick” nature of the bout, MVP and Netflix stepped in to provide the platform.

The Stakes: Legacy vs. Ring Rust

This fight pits the two most influential women in the history of the sport against one another, but the long layoffs are the primary talking point for analysts.

Feature	Ronda Rousey	Gina Carano
Last Fight	December 2016 (Loss to Amanda Nunes)	August 2009 (Loss to Cris Cyborg)
Age	39	43
Style	Olympic Judo & Armbars	Muay Thai & Striking
Record	12-2	7-1

The “Why” for 2026

For Rousey, this is a chance to rewrite the ending of her combat sports story after leaving the UFC on back-to-back losses. For Carano, who transitioned into a successful (and sometimes controversial) Hollywood career, it’s a return to the roots that made her the “Face of Women’s MMA” before the Rousey era even began.

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What’s Next?

The hype machine officially kicks off with a Press Conference on March 5, 2026, at the Intuit Dome, hosted by Ariel Helwani. Tickets are expected to go on sale immediately following the event.

“This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future,” Rousey said in her announcement. “Me and Gina are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history.”

Would you like me to look up the current betting odds for this fight or help you draft a social media post to share the news?