Ronda Rousey's MMA Return Set for Netflix Against Gina Carano
The highly anticipated return of Ronda Rousey to mixed martial arts will not occur within the UFC Octagon. Instead, the former women's bantamweight champion will headline a groundbreaking Netflix event on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in California, facing fellow pioneer Gina Carano. This historic matchup represents the first MMA card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, the organization led by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
A Decade-Long Dream Finally Realized
This particular fight has lingered in the background of combat sports for more than ten years. It now becomes reality after Rousey made a direct effort to stage the bout under the UFC banner initially. When that plan ultimately stalled, a new and innovative path opened, leading to this unique streaming platform arrangement.
Rousey's Personal Motivation for the Comeback
Ronda Rousey revealed that her decision to return began with a deeply personal moment. While nine months pregnant, she saw Gina Carano in an interview and felt an immediate, compelling need to act.
"I was nine months pregnant, and I saw a video of Gina Carano giving an interview and she didn't look good. She gained an unhealthy amount of weight and my first thought was 'oh my god, what can I do to help?' The reason why I had that thought was because she's the one woman not only in MMA that doesn't owe me a damn thing but that I owe immensely," Rousey explained in detail.
Rousey elaborated that she has always felt a profound sense of responsibility toward her former peer. She described constantly looking for ways to support Carano during difficult personal moments. Reflecting on her own past struggles with severe depression and losing life direction, Rousey shared that having a clear, meaningful goal has helped restore her passion and purpose.
"I thought you know what, she needs this. She needs this fight. The more I thought about it, I was like I need this. I really need this fight," Rousey emphasized, highlighting the mutual benefit she perceives in this contest.
The UFC Pathway That Didn't Materialize
Rousey initially contacted UFC president Dana White to explore the possibility of organizing the fight through the premier MMA organization. "I reached out to Dana [White] and asked him if he would be interested in it and it didn't exactly work out with the UFC. But it led us to here today," Rousey stated, acknowledging that the failed UFC negotiations ultimately paved the way for this innovative alternative.
Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions Step Forward
With the UFC no longer a viable option, Most Valuable Promotions enthusiastically stepped forward to promote the event. This bout becomes MVP's inaugural MMA promotion and simultaneously marks Netflix's ambitious entry into live MMA broadcasting to its massive global subscriber base.
Jake Paul shared his enthusiastic reaction to promoting this landmark event. "Surreal moment," he wrote on social media platform X. "I started taking judo because of Ronda Rousey. Now I get to work with her and Gina Carano to bring MMA to Netflix. Here we go..."
A Historic Night for Women's MMA
On May 16, two true pioneers of women's mixed martial arts will step back into the cage, not just for a competitive bout, but for a event that symbolizes the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting and promotion. This fight represents a convergence of legacy, personal redemption, and technological innovation in combat sports distribution.
