Ronda Rousey to end decade-long MMA hiatus with showdown against Gina Carano
Ronda Rousey will make her first mixed martial arts appearance in a decade when she steps back into the cage to face Gina Carano on May 16, 2026 (ET) at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The bout, promoted as a landmark super-fight, will be contested at 145 pounds and is scheduled for five five-minute rounds under the unified rules of MMA.
What to expect on fight night
The match will take place inside a hexagon cage and will use four-ounce gloves. It will be professionally sanctioned and staged over the standard championship-length format should the fight go the distance. Organisers have billed the pairing as one of the most significant encounters in the history of women's combat sports, bringing together two of the most recognisable names ever to compete in the discipline.
Rousey, who last fought in mixed martial arts in 2016, built a legacy as a dominant bantamweight champion and was a pioneering figure for women in the sport. Her record and high-profile crossover into other combat and entertainment arenas made her one of MMA's biggest stars. Carano, meanwhile, last competed in 2009 and holds a professional MMA record that includes notable early-career wins; she later transitioned away from competition and into other pursuits.
How the matchup came together and what it means
Promoters say this fight has been a long-held dream for both fighters. Rousey approached Carano with the proposal, and both athletes framed the contest as not only a personal challenge but an event meant to celebrate the evolution of women's mixed martial arts. Carano has publicly welcomed the opportunity, calling it an honour and expressing confidence that she will emerge victorious, while acknowledging the difficulty she expects from Rousey.
The event marks the first time the promoter will present an MMA card, signalling an expansion of its combat-sports ambitions. Leadership from the promotion described the matchup as a disruptive, high-profile statement intended to spotlight women’s combat sport on a global stage. They highlighted both fighters' roles in shaping the female side of the sport and said the event aims to deliver a major moment for fans past and present.
Beyond the headline pairing, organisers have indicated more announcements will follow about the remainder of the card and additional event details. Expectations are high for a stacked undercard and a production designed to appeal to both long-standing MMA enthusiasts and a broader mainstream audience.
Legacy, risk and reward
For Rousey, the return represents both risk and potential payoff. Her career achievements include championship reigns and high-profile crossover success, but she has also been open about the physical toll her competitive years took on her. Stepping back into a championship-length contest after a long layoff is a major test of conditioning and ring rust, but will also offer a chance to add a definitive late-career moment to her legacy.
Carano, who has not fought professionally in over a decade, faces a similar challenge: shaking off long-term inactivity against one of the sport's all-time greats. The matchup revives a contest fans long speculated about when both were active, and it will test whether past star power can translate into elite-level performance after years away from competition.
Whatever the outcome, the bout on May 16, 2026 (ET) is positioned to be a defining chapter in the story of women's mixed martial arts, bringing two formative figures back into the spotlight and offering a high-profile spectacle for the sport’s global fanbase.
