Ronda Rousey is set to headline Netflix's first MMA event against Gina Carano on May 16. Despite her marketability and talent, a win will not significantly alter her standing among all-time MMA greats.
Key points
Ronda Rousey will headline Netflix's first MMA event
She fights Gina Carano on May 16
Rousey is known for her marketability and talent
A win will not change her all-time ranking in MMA
She has criticized the UFC for low fighter compensation
Ronda RouseyGina Carano
Only one female MMA fighter is marketable enough, charismatic enough and talented enough for Netflix to stream its first MMA event with that fighter headlining the event.
Only one female MMA fighter has the skill and brashness to sell the event, rip the UFC for low compensation for fighters and vow her fight will be the greatest in MMA history.
Her upcoming fight with Gina Carano validates sheâs still the most valuable fighter in MMA. But no matter how convincing the 39-year-old Rousey has performed before the fight, a victory against the 44-year-old Carano Saturday, May 16, will do nothing to impact how she stacks up the greats of all time.
A look at her record and statistics will shed some light.
Ronda Rousey spoke candidly at a preâfight 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.
Q&A
What is Ronda Rousey's upcoming fight date and opponent?
Ronda Rousey's upcoming fight is scheduled for May 16 against Gina Carano.
Why is Ronda Rousey considered a marketable MMA fighter?
Ronda Rousey is seen as marketable due to her charisma, talent, and ability to draw attention to events.
How does Ronda Rousey's fight against Carano affect her legacy in MMA?
A victory against Carano will not significantly impact Rousey's legacy among the all-time greats in MMA.
What are Ronda Rousey's notable criticisms of the UFC?
Ronda Rousey has criticized the UFC for low compensation for fighters.
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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.
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 preâfight 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 preâfight 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.
Ronda Rousey's strengths and weaknesses
Rouseyâs career record is 12-2 with three knockouts and nine submissions. In nine of her 12 victories, she needed 66 seconds or less to vanquish her opponents. Just one of her victories went past the first round.
Those numbers are extraordinary.
But in Rouseyâs last two fights, Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes did more than knock out Rousey. They exposed her limitations.
Rousey, who won an Olympic bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Beijing Games, has demonstrated elite grappling skills. But Holm and Nunes capitalized on her weak striking game.
Ronda Rousey's quality of competition
Then there is the question of competition.
Rousey is No. 3 on ESPNâs Top 10 list of the best women's MMA fighters of the 21st century. During her career she had two victories over fighters in the Top 10 â both over Miesha Tate. Tate is No. 8 on ESPNâs list.
Zhang Weili, No. 7 on the list, has two victories against women in the Top 10. Rose Namajunas, No. 6 on ESPNâs list, has four victories against women in the Top 10. Victoria Shevchenko, No. 4 on the list, has three victories against women in the Top 10.
Nunes, who ESPN ranks as the top female fighter of the 21st Century, has six victories over fighters in ESPNâs Top 10.
What worked against Rousey in amassing Top 10 victories was she had only eight fights in the UFC. In part, thatâs because she fled after losing to Holm and Nunes.
The top of any list should be reserved for fighters willing to finish challenges after adversity hits.
Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano: Stream, date and how to watch
Date:Â Saturday, May 16
Time:Â 6 pm ET, main card starts
Where:Â Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)
Streaming:Â Netflix, with monthly subscription as low as $7.99
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano pose after the press conference for the Most Valuable Promotions MMA card at Palladium Theater.
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano pose after the press conference for the Most Valuable Promotions MMA card at Palladium Theater.
Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano: USA TODAY Sports predictions
