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'It's not like my ovaries are fighting'
TL;DR
Ronda Rousey, 39, defends herself against age-related criticism before her first MMA fight in a decade against Gina Carano, 44, on May 16. Rousey emphasizes that her age won't affect her performance.
Key points
- Ronda Rousey defends against age criticism
- Fight scheduled for May 16 at Intuit Dome
- Gina Carano returns after 17 years
- Rousey's MMA record is 12 wins and 2 losses
Mentioned in this story
Intuit Dome
Ronda RouseyGina CaranoMMA
Randa Rousey (left) has won 12 of 14 professional MMA fights [Getty Images]
Ronda Rousey has hit back at critics who have questioned her age before her first MMA bout in 10 years against Gina Carano, saying: "It's not like my ovaries are fighting."
The 39-year-old, the first woman to be signed by the UFC in 2012 and one of the biggest MMA stars of all time, will fight fellow American Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in California on 16 May.
With Carano, 44, competing for the first time in 17 years, critics have questioned how competitive the bout will be.
Rousey pointed to 38-year-old former UFC champion Jon Jones, who last fought 17 months ago, as an example where the same principles are not applied.
"I never hear Jon Jones' age being brought up as a disqualifying factor. Why are we even talking about this?" Rousey told CBS Mornings.
Jones retired in 2025 but UFC president Dana White has shut down repeated questions from journalists in recent months about his potential return.
Rousey defended the UFC bantamweight title six times during a historic reign, but retired in 2016 following defeats by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
Rousey has acknowledged that she was forced to retire because of repeated concussions, and she and Carano will have extra neurological tests before their bout, which will take place under Jake Paul's promotional outfit MVP and be broadcast live on Netflix.
During a news conference last month to promote the fight, Rousey said she wanted to "rewrite her ending" in the sport, criticised the modern UFC and hit back at claims that her encounter with Carano is a "charity" fight.
At a news conference in New York on Wednesday, a typically outspoken and charismatic Rousey expanded on those themes.
She said each fighter on the card would earn a minimum of $40,000 (£29,500) whether they win or lose.
Q&A
What did Ronda Rousey say about age criticism before her fight?
Ronda Rousey responded to age criticism by stating, 'It's not like my ovaries are fighting.'
When is Ronda Rousey's fight against Gina Carano scheduled?
Ronda Rousey is set to fight Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in California.
How long has it been since Gina Carano last fought?
Gina Carano is competing for the first time in 17 years.
What is Ronda Rousey's professional MMA record?
Ronda Rousey has won 12 of her 14 professional MMA fights.
