Ronda Rousey to come out of retirement to fight Gina Carano on 16 May
Ronda Rousey will end her decade-long absence from mixed martial arts to take on Gina Carano in a high-profile superfight scheduled for 16 May (ET) at the Intuit Dome in California. The bout, billed as one of the landmark events in women's combat sports, will be contested over five rounds at 145lb and staged before an 18, 000-capacity crowd while being streamed live on a major global platform.
Fight details and immediate context
The match-up reunites two of the earliest figures in women's MMA at very different points in their lives and careers. Rousey, 39, returns after retiring from competition in her late 20s and later citing severe concussion issues when she discussed her reasons for stepping away in 2025. Her professional record stands at 12-2. Carano, 43, who left the cage years before Rousey made her debut and later pursued acting, holds a 7-1 pro record; her lone defeat came against an opponent long regarded as one of the sport's elite in 2009.
Promoters have confirmed the bout will be five rounds at 145lb (10st 5lb) and will take place on 16 May (ET) at the Intuit Dome, a venue with an 18, 000-seat capacity. announcing the fight, Rousey said: "Been waiting so long to announce this: me and Gina Carano are going to throw down in the biggest super-fight in women's combat sport history. " Carano added that Rousey approached her about the matchup and described the invitation as an honor, saying she believes she will walk out with the win but expects a difficult contest.
Legacy, trajectories and what’s at stake
For long-time fans this is the bout that never happened during the early peaks of both fighters. The match was pursued in earlier years but failed to materialize when both were at the height of their competitive powers. Now, the collision has taken on a different meaning: it is as much about legacy and narrative as it is about athletic supremacy.
Rousey’s credentials extend beyond MMA. She earned an Olympic gold medal in judo and later transitioned into professional wrestling and entertainment work after stepping away from the cage. Her sudden losses late in her UFC tenure—first losing her bantamweight title in an upset and later being defeated in a comeback bout—were pivotal in her decision to retire from active competition. She has been open about the physical toll and concussion issues that influenced that path.
Carano’s impact on the sport is often cited in discussions of early momentum for women’s fights; she helped open doors for future generations before leaving to build a career outside the octagon. Both fighters carry sizable public profiles, and this event will test how past ring achievements translate into a high-stakes return for two athletes long removed from regular competition.
Expectations and the broader picture
Beyond the clash itself, the event is notable for its distribution: it will be streamed live on a major streaming platform, marking a milestone for how elite MMA events can be presented to a global audience. Card build-up is expected to emphasize the historical angle, marketing the match as a generational spectacle rather than a conventional return fight.
Analysts and fans will focus on conditioning, ring rust and how each fighter’s style has aged. Rousey’s quick finishes and judo-based control contrast with Carano’s earlier striking pedigree; how those elements hold up after long layoffs will shape the fight narrative. With a five-round format at a higher weight class than Rousey’s championship days, pacing and endurance could be decisive factors.
As 16 May (ET) approaches, expectations will sharpen around training camps, medical clearances and promotional lead-up. For now, the headline is clear: two pioneers of women's MMA are set to meet in a bout that promises spectacle, history and a final chapter many fans have long imagined.
