Netflix might have introduced its first MMA dwell occasion this week, with the assistance of Jake Paul’s MVP banner, however the two ladies that can go to conflict are something however new to the brutal sport. Ronda Rousey will make her return on Might 16, 2026, to face fellow ladies’s MMA pioneer, Gina Carano inside a hexagonal cage and the bout will probably be contested as a featherweight match with a 145-pound weight restrict. Regardless of their storied careersRousey and Carano have by no means confronted one another, and each ladies have been out of motion for a few years. So, as followers and critics weight in on the validity of the battle, M&F takes a take a look at the story of the tape.
Age Comparability: How Outdated Are Rousey and Carano?
Born in Riverside, CA, Ronda Rousey is the youthful of the 2 athletes, and is 39. Gina Carano was born in Dallas TX, and is 43.
Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano: Dimension and Bodily Variations
Gina Carano is taller, standing 5’8” to Rousey’s 5’6,” and has predominantly been the heavier of the 2 athletes. She competed nearer to the featherweight class of 145 kilos, whereas Rousey dominated the bantamweight division with a 135-pound weight restrict.
How Lengthy Have They Been Out of MMA?
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey was energetic in an expert wrestling ring as lately as 2025, however by way of MMA, her final bout occurred on December 30, 2016, when she misplaced to Amanda Nunes by TKO within the first spherical of their battle at UFC 207.
Whereas Gina Carano has been seen coaching in gymsresembling Syndicate MMA lately, and has been hinting at an MMA comeback for some time,her final official bout occurred on August 15, 2009, when she additionally misplaced within the first spherical by way of TKO, to Cris Cyborg.
This all implies that Rousey has been away from energetic MMA competitors for greater than 9 years, whereas Carano has been absent for greater than 16 years.
Who has received essentially the most fights: Ronda Rousey or Gina Carano?
Ronda Rousey leads on variety of fights, and wins, with a report of 12-2-0, whereas Gina Carano holds a report of 7-1-0. However the nice equalizer right here is that every girl misplaced her final bout within the first spherical.
Preventing Fashion Breakdown: Grappler vs Striker
Gina Carano was the face of girls’s MMA earlier than Ronda Rousey and the UFC took her mantle. The tenacious Texan turned a preferred power because of her putting and stand-up prowess, utilizing her Muay Thai and boxing abilities to beatdown opponents. She solely gained one submission in her profession, profitable the remaining by KO/TKO or on factors.
Rousey’s historical past with submissions is kind of completely different nonetheless, the previous UFC champion and Olympic bronze Judo medalist gained 9 submissions throughout her MMA profession, with the remaining coming from KO/TKO. In truth, Rousey has by no means gone the total distance, so Carano’s extra deliberate tempo might be met with Rousey’s instincts for a fast end.
After all, these stats are steeped in historical past, and the bodily capabilities of each fighters might be far completely different in 2026. Earlier than the bout even takes place in Inglewood, California, the returning warriors will probably be required to face medical and neurological testing. The California State Athletic Fee government director, Andy Foster, lately instructed ESPN that this may embody concussion battery testing and will probably be “extra in depth that what’s required of all fight sports activities athletes.”
Whether or not you see Netflix’s first foray into MMA as a glorified celeb exhibition model match, or an opportunity for these returning warriors to defy the stereotypes round age in sports activities, we’ll little doubt be fastened to the display screen on Might 16, both means. The bout, professionally sanctioned by the Unified Guidelines of MMA will probably be contested over 5, 5-minute rounds utilizing 4-ounce gloves.
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