Ronda Rousey to come out of retirement to fight gina carano in May superfight
Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts to face Gina Carano on May 16, 2026 (ET) in what promoters are billing as a landmark women’s super-fight. The five-round featherweight bout is scheduled for the 18, 000-seat Intuit Dome in California and will be presented as part of a live-streamed MMA event.
What has been announced so far
The matchup brings together two of women’s mixed martial arts’ most influential figures. Rousey, 39, who parlayed an Olympic judo bronze into a dominant MMA run and later a career in professional wrestling and entertainment, will compete at 145 pounds in a scheduled five-round fight. She holds a 12-2 professional record and has been out of active MMA competition since retiring in her late 20s after a pair of knockout defeats and later citing concussion problems in 2025 as factors in stepping away from the sport.
Carano, 43, made her name as an early star of women’s MMA and finished her fighting career with a 7-1 record; her lone loss came against Cris Cyborg in 2009. After leaving the cage she built a career in acting, but has been training in recent months and accepted Rousey’s request to make the long-discussed dream matchup a reality. Carano has said she feels honoured to take the fight and expects a hard-fought night that she plans to win.
Organizers have confirmed the venue and the date. The fight will headline a card that marks the first time a live MMA event of this scale will be carried on a major global streaming service, a move promoters say signals a new commercial chapter for the sport.
Why this matters for MMA and for both fighters
This meeting closes a decade-long what-if scenario for long-time fans. When Rousey rose to prominence she became a central figure in mainstreaming women’s divisions, while Carano is widely credited as a pioneer who helped pave the way for high-profile female matchups. Attempts to stage this exact pairing in the sport’s earlier years could not be finalised, so the announced fight represents a rare cross-generational clash.
For Rousey, the return is framed as a rare, targeted comeback: she reportedly identified Carano as the one opponent who would draw her back into competition. For Carano, the contest is a calculated return to the cage after a long absence, one that pits her against a more decorated and active-era opponent. Beyond records and legacy, both fighters bring strong name recognition that promises significant attention — and scrutiny — around training, fight readiness, and health considerations.
What to expect next
Fight week will focus on medical clearances, promotional buildup and finalisation of undercard participants. With the bout scheduled for May 16, 2026 (ET), both camps will move toward press activity and final training camps over the coming weeks. Observers will be watching for weigh-in updates as the 145lb limit approaches, and for any further details about the event’s broadcast and production plans.
Regardless of outcome, the matchup represents a high-profile reunion of two figures who helped shape women’s MMA. It promises to be a defining moment for the athletes involved and a statement piece for the sport’s continued commercial growth.
