Ronda Rousey has declared that her upcoming comeback fight against Gina Carano will be the biggest MMA bout of all time, a moment she believes will reshape the sport forever. Speaking at a press conference in New York, Rousey emphasized that this clash is not just about women’s fighting but a once-in-a-lifetime event for mixed martial arts fans worldwide.
Rousey, who made history as the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in judo and later became the first female fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, is no stranger to groundbreaking achievements. She defended her bantamweight title six times before her shocking defeat to Holly Holm in 2015. Now, at 39, she insists this fight is about legacy, not money.
“This is not nostalgia or a cash grab,” Rousey explained, pointing to the massive success of Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul, which drew over 108 million viewers in 2024. She believes her showdown with Carano will capture similar global attention, especially as it marks the debut of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in MMA, streaming live on Netflix on May 16.
Rousey also fired back at current UFC champion Kayla Harrison, who dismissed her as irrelevant. “Gina is the reason the 145lb division exists, and I paved the road Kayla is walking on,” Rousey said, adding that Harrison “has the charisma of a wet towel.”
For Carano, now 43, the fight represents a new chapter. Having last competed in 2009 against Cris Cyborg, she described her feelings as “peace and excitement” rather than anxiety.
The stacked card also features Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, promising fans a night of unforgettable action. With a minimum fighter purse of $40,000, Rousey highlighted that MVP is setting a new standard for athlete pay in MMA.
This historic matchup between two pioneers is poised to be a defining moment in combat sports history.
