Rousey installed favourite for MMA comeback against Carano
Ronda Rousey’s long-rumoured return to combat sports has been confirmed, with the former UFC champion set to face fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano in a high-profile bout scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Rousey, now 39, announced the fight via social media, describing the contest as a landmark event for women’s combat sports. The bout will be promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the organisation founded by Jake Paul, and streamed globally on Netflix.
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“Been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!” Rousey said in a social media post.
“And we’re partnering with the fighter-first promotion MVP as well as the biggest and baddest streamer on the planet Netflix. This is for all MMA fans past, present and future. More to come… much more.”
The matchup marks a dramatic comeback for both athletes. Rousey has not competed since late 2016, when she suffered back-to-back defeats in the UFC against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Carano, 43, last fought professionally in 2009, suffering a TKO defeat to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce before stepping away from MMA.
Despite their shared status as trailblazers of the sport, Rousey and Carano have never previously fought. Carano’s career predated Rousey’s rise, with Carano playing a pivotal role in bringing mainstream visibility to women’s MMA during the Strikeforce era.
Rousey’s comeback had been widely rumoured to involve a rematch with Amanda Nunes, who stopped her in just 48 seconds at UFC 207. However, no such fight has materialised, with Nunes remaining retired from active competition.
Betting sites have already reacted to the announcement, with early markets pricing Rousey as a clear favourite despite her lengthy absence from competition. Opening odds across several online betting sites have Rousey installed at approximately 1.40, while Carano has been listed around 2.90.
