Ronda Rousey to face gina carano in blockbuster May 16 return to MMA
Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts to face gina carano in a high-profile, professionally sanctioned featherweight showdown set for May 16 (ET) at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The five-round bout is being promoted as a major event and will be streamed live on a global streaming service, promoters confirmed.
Fight details: rules, weight and promotion
The matchup will take place at 145 pounds and follow the Unified Rules of MMA: five 5-minute rounds, 4-ounce gloves and action inside a cage. Promoters say the card will mark the first professional MMA event for their new promotion and will headline what they call a landmark night for women's combat sports.
Both Rousey and Carano are combat-sports figures whose profiles span competition and entertainment. Rousey, 39, burst into mixed martial arts after a decorated judo career, becoming a dominant UFC bantamweight champion with a string of early finishes. She later transitioned to professional wrestling and acting. Carano, 43, is widely regarded as an early pioneer for women in MMA and left the sport in 2009 after a stint as a top 145-pound contender before building a career in film and television.
Medical clearances and age-related testing
Because of their extended retirements and histories in contact sports, both fighters will undergo rigorous medical screening before being cleared to compete. The California State Athletic Commission has outlined enhanced neurological and concussion testing for the matchup, and will require a battery of exams for fighters in this category.
The screening regimen includes blood work, neurocognitive testing, advanced brain imaging such as MRI and MRA scans, and cardiac evaluations including an electrocardiogram. The commission says these measures reflect recommendations from ringside medical experts aimed at assessing long-term effects of head trauma and ensuring fighter safety.
Rousey has previously spoken candidly about concussion and neurological problems during her athletic career, and regulators have signaled that there will be no exceptions: both fighters must pass the full slate of medicals and neurological batteries before receiving licensing for the bout.
Reaction, stakes and the wider conversation
The announcement has reignited debate about age, fighter safety and the crossover appeal of combat-sports stars who also work in entertainment. Promoters emphasize the commercial magnitude of the pairing and the historical significance of two early female trailblazers meeting in a sanctioned professional fight after long layoffs.
Not all commentary has been celebratory. The buildup to the fight has also produced controversy, with aggressive and offensive remarks from other combat figures at recent media events drawing criticism and underscoring how the bout has become a flashpoint for wider cultural conversations about respect, sportsmanship and the role of women in combat sports.
For fans and regulators alike, the coming weeks will be defined by the medical clearances and final promotional details. If both fighters pass the required tests, the contest on May 16 (ET) will be one of the most closely watched returns in recent MMA history, blending sporting stakes with mainstream visibility.
Promoters have promised additional information about the card and undercard in the run-up to the event. For now, attention will focus on the medical processes and the preparations of two athletes who helped reshape women's roles in mixed martial arts.
