Netflix is stepping into the MMA spotlight with one of the most anticipated women’s fights in combat sports history. On Saturday, May 16, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano finally meet inside the cage in a global streaming event promoted by Most Valuable Promotions live from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The fight marks the return of two pioneers who helped bring women’s MMA into the mainstream. For Rousey, it’s her first MMA bout in nearly a decade. For Carano, it’s a comeback 17 years in the making after leaving the sport at the height of her popularity.
The Fight Card
- Main Event: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
- Welterweight: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry
- Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins
- Lightweight: Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross
- Heavyweight: Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne
The preliminary card also features Adriano Moraes, Jason Jackson, Aline Pereira, Chris Avila, and more as MVP MMA launches its first major MMA event.
When to Watch
Rousey vs. Carano streams live on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The main card begins at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT) exclusively on Netflix.
The preliminary card is expected to stream earlier in the evening on Netflix Tudum and the MVP YouTube channel.
Watch Rousey vs. Carano live on Netflix
How to Watch Rousey vs. Carano
The entire event is included with every Netflix subscription at no additional cost. Fans can stream the fights through the Netflix app, website, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, gaming consoles, tablets, and mobile devices.
No pay-per-view purchase is required. As long as you have an active Netflix subscription, you’ll be able to watch the event live globally.
What to Know About Rousey vs. Carano
This is more than just a comeback fight. It’s a matchup MMA fans have talked about for nearly two decades. Carano helped introduce women’s MMA to mainstream audiences during her Strikeforce run, while Rousey later became the UFC’s first female superstar and one of the biggest names in combat sports history.
Gina Carano’s Return
Carano enters the fight after years away from competition, saying she spent that time rebuilding herself physically and mentally. Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, Carano described the training camp as both painful and transformative after dealing with years of physical issues and personal struggles.
“I needed to reclaim my body from hurt and reclaim my mind from chaos and reclaim my spirit from the world,” Carano said.
The former Strikeforce star last competed in 2009 against Cris Cyborg before transitioning into acting with roles in projects including Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, and The Mandalorian.
Rousey Returns to MMA
Rousey returns to MMA for the first time since her UFC losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes ended her championship reign. Before those defeats, Rousey dominated women’s MMA with multiple title defenses and became the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Following her UFC career, Rousey moved into WWE where she became a multi-time champion and headlined WrestleMania. It’s also where she burned so many bridges, you’d think she was a pirate.
A Historic Fight Years in the Making
Rousey has long pushed for the matchup, while Carano previously focused on stepping away from the spotlight and rebuilding her life outside fighting. According to Carano, the timing finally aligned in 2025.
“I don’t think I’d ever do this for anybody else,” Carano said about accepting the fight against Rousey. “Her passion and excitement for it was just contagious.”
Now, the two icons will finally meet inside the cage in what could become one of the most watched MMA events ever streamed.