Rousey vs. gina carano: Superfight Set for May at Intuit Dome
Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts to face Gina Carano in a long-awaited superfight scheduled for May 16, 2026 (ET) at the Intuit Dome in California. The bout — five rounds at 145 pounds — reunites two pioneers whose careers helped shape women’s combat sport.
Key details of the matchup
The fight is slated for May 16, 2026 (ET) and will be contested over five rounds at featherweight (145 lb). The announcement places the event in an 18, 000-seat arena in California, marking one of the largest venues ever used for a women’s MMA headliner. Promoters have also said the card will be offered live on a major streaming service, representing a first for live MMA in that distribution format.
Rousey, 39, owns a 12-2 professional record and is widely credited with accelerating the growth of women’s MMA after capturing a major belt and defending it repeatedly at the highest level. Her background includes an Olympic bronze medal in judo and a high-profile run in sports entertainment after her initial retirement from mixed martial arts.
Carano, 43, fights with a 7-1 record and has not competed in MMA since her 2009 defeat to Cris Cyborg. She later transitioned into an acting career, becoming a recognizable face in mainstream film and television. Both fighters bring sizeable followings and crossover appeal to the matchup.
How the fight came together and what’s at stake
Rousey framed the bout as a long-held ambition, saying she’s “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 confirmed Rousey personally approached her with the proposal, calling the request an honor and saying she expects to leave the cage victorious while welcoming a tough challenge.
This contest answers a question many fans have asked for years: what happens when two defining figures from different eras finally meet in the cage? The matchup had been discussed while both were active athletes, and efforts to make it happen surfaced repeatedly in the past. Now, after years away from regular competition for both women, the fight arrives as a symbolic clash of eras and styles.
For Rousey, the return comes after health concerns factored into earlier decisions to step away from the sport; she disclosed in 2025 that severe concussion problems played a role in her retirement. For Carano, the fight represents a rare competitive comeback after a lengthy focus on acting and other pursuits.
Legacy, promotion and what to watch next
Beyond the immediate sporting outcome, the event will be judged on production, matchmaking and its capacity to draw a mainstream audience. High-profile backers and promotional partners are involved, and the fight is being positioned as a major summer attraction with crossover marketing aimed at both combat sports fans and general audiences.
Watch for pre-fight build-up that will include training updates, potential press events, and medical clearances that will be closely monitored given both fighters’ lengthy absences from full-time competition. Analysts will be paying attention to conditioning, takedown defense and power exchanges — areas where Rousey’s judo pedigree and Carano’s striking background will make for a compelling tactical matchup.
Ticketing and additional event details are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. For now, the announcement has already reignited debate among long-time observers and newer fans about the sporting and cultural significance of this headline bout.
