A historic moment in combat sports is officially underway.
At Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey and MMA pioneer Gina Carano came face to face during a press conference promoting their highly anticipated showdown.
The fight will headline Most Valuable Promotions’ inaugural MMA event, streaming live globally on Netflix on Saturday, May 16.
The matchup will be contested under the Unified Rules of MMA, scheduled for five five-minute rounds inside a hexagon cage using 4oz gloves.
A Long-Awaited Clash in Women’s MMA
The fight between Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) represents one of the most talked-about potential matchups in women’s MMA history.
During the press conference, Rousey revealed that returning to MMA was never originally part of her plan.
“I never thought I would come back. It didn’t cross my mind at all,” Rousey said.
She explained that rediscovering her passion for martial arts came through helping train her coach Ricky Lundell, which eventually reignited her love for the sport.
“That joy that martial arts gave me from the beginning came back,” Rousey said.
Carano echoed the emotional significance of the moment, explaining that the opportunity itself was the biggest motivation.
“Ronda personally asked me,” Carano said. “To share this moment with her… we get to live once and this makes me feel so alive.”
The Fight That Almost Happened in the UFC
Both fighters revealed that the bout was originally discussed with UFC President Dana White, but ultimately moved in a different direction.
Rousey said she initially approached White because of the respect she has for the promotion where she became a global star.
“I told him I could do this on my own, but I would rather fight for you than fight for me,” she said.
However, the timeline shifted, and the fight eventually found a home through Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions, leading to the partnership with Netflix.
Rousey believes the result could become the most-watched MMA fight ever.
“We’re about to put on the most-viewed MMA fight of all time,” she said.
Ngannou Returns to MMA
and Philipe Lins 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. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images for Netflix)
The press conference also featured the announcement of a major co-main event.
Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (18-3) will face Brazil’s Philipe Lins (18-5) in a five-round heavyweight bout.
The fight marks Ngannou’s return to professional MMA competition following his recent ventures into boxing and a dominant PFL championship victory in 2024.
Ngannou made it clear that he still has plenty left to accomplish in the sport.
“I still have a lot of time in front of me,” he said. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been.”
and Philipe Lins 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. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images for Netflix)
Lins acknowledged the magnitude of the opportunity.
“This is the biggest opportunity of my MMA career,” Lins said. “May 16 live on Netflix, I’m going to shock the world.”
Jake Paul Sees a New Era for MMA
MVP co-founder Jake Paul also spoke during the press conference, emphasizing the company’s ambition to reshape the combat sports landscape.
“This is the MVP way,” Paul said. “Just four and a half years into building this company and we’re doing the first-ever MMA event live on Netflix.”
Paul believes the partnership with Netflix gives fighters a new platform and financial opportunity.
“I believe we have a massive opportunity here to disrupt the whole space and put fighters first,” he said.
A Historic Night for Combat Sports
The May 16 event represents several major milestones:
- Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event
- Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast
- The long-awaited Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano showdown
- The return of Francis Ngannou to MMA
Additional fights for the card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the event are available now through Ticketmaster.
Event Details
Rousey vs. Carano
Saturday, May 16
Location: Intuit Dome – Los Angeles, California
Streaming: Netflix (Global)
Watch: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano | KICK OFF PRESS CONFERENCE | Netflix
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