Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has confirmed that her planned comeback fight will not take place under the UFC banner, despite her efforts to make it happen.
In revealing new details, Rousey explained that negotiations with UFC president Dana White did take place, but ultimately didn’t lead to a deal.
At 39 years old, Rousey’s return to mixed martial arts is one of the most talked-about developments in combat sports.
However, fans expecting her return inside the UFC Octagon will have to adjust their expectations. While she originally pitched her fight idea to White, it wasn’t accepted by the organization.
Historic Opponent: Echoing MMA’s Early Stars
Rousey’s comeback will see her fight fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano, who was one of the first female stars in the sport long before women’s divisions became mainstream.
This fight is a must-see for fans of women’s MMA, as it taps into the legacies of two trailblazers in the sport.
Both fighters have storied pasts:
- Ronda Rousey was the first female fighter signed by the UFC and is widely credited for bringing women’s MMA into the spotlight with an exciting run in the bantamweight division.
- Gina Carano was a breakout star in the sport’s early days, helping bring attention to women’s fights before they were even included under major promotions.
Despite their impact, neither has fought in nearly a decade, making this matchup not only nostalgic but also historically significant.
‘It Didn’t Work Out’ With the UFC
In her appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Rousey was candid about reaching out to Dana White to pitch her idea for a high-profile fight. “I reached out to Dana and asked if he would be interested in it,” she said. Unfortunately, those talks didn’t lead to a UFC-promoted event.
The reasons behind the UFC’s decision haven’t been fully detailed, but Rousey indicates that despite her best efforts, the promotion didn’t move forward with the idea.
Many fans assumed that the fight, because of the star power of both competitors, would have been a huge draw for UFC, but negotiations stopped short of an agreement.
After that, Rousey and Carano teamed up with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) to host the bout instead.
The fight will be streamed live on Netflix on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, giving it global exposure beyond traditional MMA audiences.
What This Means for Rousey’s Legacy
Rousey’s career has been one of massive highs and impactful moments in MMA history.
She stormed onto the UFC scene in 2013, dominating her division with an aggressive submission style that made her a household name.
Over her UFC career, she became one of the sport’s biggest stars and its first female champion.
After suffering back-to-back knockout losses in 2015 and 2016, she stepped away from MMA and transitioned briefly into professional wrestling and acting.
She largely stayed out of the fight game for nearly a decade, focusing on her personal life and other ventures.
Now, this new match with Carano reconnects Rousey with her past in the sport but also represents a separate chapter.
Rather than returning to the UFC, she’s opted for a platform that could expand her visibility even further, especially as Netflix enters the combat sports world with this unprecedented presentation.
Why Fans Are Excited
There are several reasons this fight has garnered massive interest:
- Iconic Matchup: The fight unites two female pioneers of MMA in a way fans have dreamed of for years.
- Netflix Global Reach: Streaming live on Netflix gives casual viewers access to a spectacle many might not have followed otherwise.
- Historical Importance: For Rousey and Carano, this bout is more than a comeback — it’s a celebration of women’s roles in developing mainstream MMA.
The narrative around Rousey’s return underscores that MMA’s evolution isn’t limited to one organization.
Though UFC helped shape her career, this fight will stand on its own as a unique and historic event in combat sports.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
With the fight just months away, anticipation is building not only in the MMA community but also among casual sports fans.
Rousey’s decision to pivot away from UFC and White’s choice not to move forward with the bout have opened doors to different kinds of MMA events that can draw audiences outside the traditional fight world.
As both women prepare for their return, the spotlight remains on how their performances will resonate after such long absences.
Regardless of the outcome, this fight is poised to become one of the most talked-about matchups in years, not just in women’s MMA but in all of combat sports.