Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano prediction, pick for MVP MMA 1

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano prediction, pick for MVP MMA 1

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano meet in the main event of MVP MMA 1 Saturday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano MVP MMA 1 preview

Rousey (12-2) was last in action in December 2016 at UFC 207 against Amanda Nunes, a fight she lost by TKO in the first round. Rousey returns on a two-fight skid, with her last win coming against Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in August 2015.

Carano (7-1) was last in action in August 2009 at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, a fight she lost by TKO in the first round. It was Carano's first and only loss of her pro MMA career, having won her first seven. Her most recent victory was a unanimous decision nod over Kelly Kobold in October 2008.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano MVP MMA 1 expert pick, prediction

The main attraction on Netflix features a showdown between women's MMA pioneers, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.

Rousey, who most notably broke down the door for women to fight in the UFC, stepped away from fighting nearly a decade ago after suffering back-to-back defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.

Rousey has since stayed active with stints as a pro wrestler with the WWE, which could, oddly enough, be a huge checkmark in her favor coming into this fight.

Say what you will about pro wrestling, but it's an incredibly athletic endeavor that harkens closely to the roots that Rousey comes from. Whereas Carano, who helped pave the way for mainstream women's MMA, was last seen on the Strikeforce scene in 2011 before having to withdraw from a scheduled appearance opposite Sarah D'Alelio.

Carano has more of a muay Thai base, making this fight your classic striker vs. grappler affair (a stylistic dynamic that Rousey based her diet on during her come-up).

I'll be making the obvious Rousey pick, but I am curious as to whether or not she has enough care to carry Carano a bit first before hitting her with the inevitable armbar on the floor.

Either way, I see Rousey securing a submission by the beginning of Round 2.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano MVP MMA 1 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the former UFC champion, listing Rousey -590 and Carano +390 via FanDuel.