Ronda Rousey is set to return to MMA on May 16 against Gina Carano, nearly a decade after her last fight, a TKO loss to Amanda Nunes. This comeback aims to rewrite the memory of her previous defeat.
Key points
Ronda Rousey is returning to MMA after almost a decade.
Her last fight was a TKO loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016.
She will fight Gina Carano on May 16.
The fight is seen as a chance to rewrite her career's last chapter.
The event will be held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Mentioned in this story
Intuit DomeInglewood, California
Ronda RouseyGina CaranoAmanda NunesMMA
Ronda Rousey may be coming back for the money and the spotlight. She’s also coming back to bury a memory.
A memory of her last MMA fight: a brutal TKO loss to Amanda Nunes, Dec. 30, 2016, almost a decade ago.
Rousey has made it clear her MMA fight against Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., is a chance to rewrite the last chapter of her career. The action thriller ended like a nightmare.
At 44, Carano looks to be suitably old and removed from her prime for Rousey to make a triumphant comeback at 39. But when she climbs into the cage for the first time in almost a decade, the horrifying memories might be with her.
Ronda Rousey spoke candidly at a pre‑fight press conference, blasting the UFC while showing admiration and rivalry for her competitor, Gina Carano, ahead of their May showdown that will be livestreamed on Netflix.
Keep scrolling to see Rousey and Carano face off during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) face off in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Q&A
When is Ronda Rousey's comeback fight scheduled?
Ronda Rousey's comeback fight is scheduled for May 16.
Who is Ronda Rousey fighting in her return to MMA?
Ronda Rousey is fighting Gina Carano in her return to MMA.
What was the outcome of Ronda Rousey's last fight before her comeback?
Ronda Rousey's last fight ended in a TKO loss to Amanda Nunes on December 30, 2016.
Where will Ronda Rousey's fight against Gina Carano take place?
The fight will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
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Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey speaks during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Gina Carano waves during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
(L-R) Nakisa Bidarian, Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Philipe Lins, and Jake Paul pose onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey greets Francis Ngannou during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) pose in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face off against Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Philipe Lin speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) face off in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
Gina Carano attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Philipe Lin speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Gina Carano speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey, Ariel Helwani, and Gina Carano speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
(L-R) Ronda Rousey, Jake Paul, and Gina Carano pose onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Gina Carano speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
1 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey spoke candidly at a pre‑fight press conference, blasting the UFC while showing admiration and rivalry for her competitor, Gina Carano, ahead of their May showdown that will be livestreamed on Netflix.
Keep scrolling to see Rousey and Carano face off during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
1 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey spoke candidly at a pre‑fight press conference, blasting the UFC while showing admiration and rivalry for her competitor, Gina Carano, ahead of their May showdown that will be livestreamed on Netflix.
Keep scrolling to see Rousey and Carano face off during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
2 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) face off in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
3 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
4 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey speaks during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
5 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Gina Carano waves during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
6 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
(L-R) Nakisa Bidarian, Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Philipe Lins, and Jake Paul pose onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
7 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey greets Francis Ngannou during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
8 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) pose in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face off against Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
9 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Philipe Lin speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
10 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) face off in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.
11 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Gina Carano attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
12 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
13 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Philipe Lin speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
14 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey attends Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
15 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Gina Carano speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
16 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey, Ariel Helwani, and Gina Carano speak onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
17 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
18 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
(L-R) Ronda Rousey, Jake Paul, and Gina Carano pose onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
19 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Gina Carano speaks onstage during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
20 / 20
Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off during Netflix's Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
A hard stare, a stunning Rousey defeat
Almost a year before fighting Nunes, Rousey looked terribly vulnerable for the first time in her career. Holly Holm landed a head kick in the second round and finished off Rousey with punches, dethroning Rousey after six straight title defenses.
It was hard to imagine a more stunning defeat when Rousey got into the cage with Nunes in front of a sellout crowd of 18,533 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Rousey wore blue, designating her as the challenger, and Nunes wore black, designating her the champion. They came face-to-face for the referee’s instructions.
Rousey stared at Nunes hard.
Soon enough, the fight for the UFC bantamweight championship, which then belonged to Nunes, was underway.
Twelve seconds into the bout, Nunez landed the first clean punches – a combination to Rousey’s face. Nunes followed up with an overhead right that backed up Rousey.
Suddenly, Rousey, the proud former champion, was backpedaling.
But not fast enough.
It was only 19 seconds into the fight, and Nunes landed another big right. Then came the hailstorm, Nunez landing clean shots again and again, stirring up the crowd. Rousey was struggling to stay on her feet before Nunes connected with one more crushing blow.
The referee, Herb Dean, stepped in and called the fight. Nunez had won by a brutal first-round TKO and turned Rousey into a rag doll just 48 seconds into the fight.
Rousey vs Nunes: The aftermath
Nunes held her right index finger to her lips, as if shushing the pro-Rousey crowd. But the violence had whipped the spectators into a frenzy.
Rousey’s face was reddened, her nose was bleeding. It wasn’t clear she knew quite where she was or what had happened.
“Stunning, devastating victory by Nunes,’’ Joe Rogan said on the broadcast. “Wow, she lit Ronda up like a Christmas tree.’’
When they announced the official outcome, Nunes leaped for joy. Rousey stared at the mat.
For more than a year, Rousey did not truly re-emerge into public life.
When is Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano? Stream and how to watch
Date: Saturday, May 16
Time: 6 pm ET, main card starts
Where: The Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California
Streaming: Netflix, free with monthly subscription as low as $7.99
