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Tag: Ronda Rousey

  • Ronda Rousey Says She Would ‘Clean Holly Holm’s Clock’ In A Rematch

    Ronda Rousey Says She Would ‘Clean Holly Holm’s Clock’ In A Rematch

    Ronda Rousey says she is confident she would beat Holly Holm in a rematch and credits new medication for allowing her to fight without the neurological issues that affected the final stages of her UFC career, but insists she has no interest in fighting again.

    Rousey addressed Holm directly on Up and Adams following her retirement after submitting Gina Carano at MVP MMA 1.

    “I said I’m retired, A and B, I think that I am a completely different fighter now. I would clean her clock and definitely now that I got that new medication. I took it before. I was diagnosed with cortical spreading depression, which was always happening in my last fights and basically why I was like I need to stop. I thought my concussions were catching up to me. This is the first fight where I was able to take it and when I spiked my head into the mat, that’s exactly the kind of thing that would have set me off before. I would have lost big chunks of my vision and it didn’t come back at all. It ended up working perfectly in a live situation.”

    Rousey said the things she once wanted most no longer hold the same weight.

    “I’m better than I’ve ever been. I have better coaches than I’ve ever had. I finally don’t have these neurological issues that I had before. But now that I have it all set in front of me, I’ve changed and the things that I want have changed and suddenly these aren’t the most important things in the world to me anymore. It’s these kids and spending time with them.”

    She was unequivocal about the rematch never happening.

    “I think I definitely have the ability and the opportunity to be able to f*cking clean her clock and rewrite all of that but it’s no longer important to me anymore. It doesn’t haunt me. It’s not the most important thing in my life and these people’s perceptions and knowing how great I am and all this stuff. I know how good I am and my kids need me in their life and I want to be there for them.”

    Holm knocked out Rousey in 2015 to claim the UFC bantamweight title in one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. Holm has previously said she would always be open to a rematch.

  • Holly Holm On Ronda Rousey’s Retirement: ‘I’d Always Be Open To Fight Her Again’

    Holly Holm On Ronda Rousey’s Retirement: ‘I’d Always Be Open To Fight Her Again’

    Holly Holm says she highly doubts Ronda Rousey will ever accept a rematch, but made clear the invitation has always been open and always will be.

    Holm spoke to MMA Fighting ahead of her boxing title fight against Stephanie Han on Saturday, with Rousey’s name coming up repeatedly following her 17-second submission of Gina Carano at MVP MMA 1.

    “Yes, a lot of talk with the Ronda fight. I highly doubt she’ll ever want a rematch. I always have said since the minute the last fight was over, I’ll always rematch her. That’s always been available. But she wanted to come back and have this win and go back and enjoy and have a win like that. No hate from me. I hope she does well. I hope she does whatever she wants with her life. That’s her life. I’d always be open to fight her again.”

    Holm was not surprised by how the Rousey-Carano fight ended, having witnessed Rousey do the same to ranked UFC fighters in her prime.

    “She did that a lot to women who were ranked at the top, Ronda was still doing that. You can’t judge someone who lost like that. You know what? It takes a lot of courage to step back in when you haven’t felt that in a long time and in that many years.”

    Holm also praised Carano for what it took to return after 17 years away.

    “To be able to come back after time off, it’s uncomfortable. Fights are uncomfortable. I don’t like it. I hate fight week. I hate fight day. I always have. It is very uncomfortable and that’s why a very small percentage of people can actually do this. It’s not just the physical aspect you put your body through. It is more emotionally and mentally. For her to come back and face it, that takes a lot of courage, too.”

    On Holm’s own legacy, she expressed pride in what her knockout of Rousey represented.

    “The whole reason why me beating her was such a big deal is because she was so dominant. You have to have a dominant champion in order to have a big upset. So I have all the respect for her and to her. I’ll never say anything negative. But then there’s like the fighter pride of things and a win is great but also to try to win that good or put that much of a stamp on something, anybody would be lying if they said they weren’t proud of it.”

    Holm fights Han in a boxing lightweight title rematch on Saturday. The original bout ended in a technical decision after a clash of heads caused a cut. Holm, 44, is a current MVP boxing signee.

  • Did Rousey vs Carano Just Break All-Time U.S. MMA Viewership Record? Numbers Might Surprise You

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano delivered massive numbers for its debut on Netflix, rewriting the record books in the United States.

    According to figures released by Most Valuable Promotions, the event averaged 9.3 million viewers in the U.S., with a peak of 11.6 million during the main event. That officially surpasses the long-standing benchmark set by Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos on FOX in 2011, which drew 8.8 million viewers.

    Globally, the numbers were even more impressive. The card pulled in 12.4 million live viewers worldwide, with peak viewership reaching nearly 17 million as Ronda Rousey secured a quick submission victory over Gina Carano in just 17 seconds.

    Beyond viewership, the event also generated a $2.2 million gate and reportedly produced over one billion impressions across Netflix’s global platforms, signaling strong engagement beyond the broadcast itself.

    The card featured several notable names alongside the headline bout. Francis Ngannou made his return to MMA, while Mike Perry picked up a stoppage win over Nate Diaz, helping maintain momentum throughout the night.

    While the event did not reach the same scale as some of Netflix’s biggest boxing broadcasts, it still marked a significant step forward for MMA on the platform. Previous combat sports events featuring names like Anthony Joshua and Canelo Álvarez have posted larger figures, but few MMA cards outside the UFC ecosystem have approached this level of reach.

  • Ronda Rousey Reflects on MMA Retirement in Instagram Post

    Ronda Rousey Reflects on MMA Retirement in Instagram Post

    Ronda Rousey has confirmed her retirement from MMA is permanent, releasing a lengthy Instagram statement after submitting Gina Carano in 17 seconds at MVP MMA 1 on Netflix that detailed why she came back, what the camp meant to her, and why she is now ready to walk away for good.

    Rousey opened by admitting the weight of the moment had delayed her writing.

    “I’ve been putting off this post-fight post because I think I’ve been procrastinating admitting that it’s really over.”

    She explained that Carano herself was the reason she returned, tying the comeback directly to watching her opponent go through a difficult period in her own life.

    “This fight, the year and a half of training that went into it, and even the promotion was more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. At nine months pregnant, when I saw Gina experiencing a low similar to what I endured — I KNEW she had it in her to pull herself out of it. And just like when I saw her fight for the first time I thought, ‘Well, if she can do it, I can, too.’ Pro wrestling helped me move on from my past in MMA, but Gina is the one who gave me a reason to confront it.”

    Rousey said the fight meant more than just a result.

    “The story we could tell together was one I desperately needed to believe. That you’re never too low to rise again, that your body is never too far gone to reclaim, and that it’s never too late to be better than you’ve ever been.”

    She revealed a behind-the-scenes moment where she and Carano worked out contract issues themselves.

    “When there were a few hiccups at the finish line getting her contract done I just said, ‘F*ck it, let’s meet up’ and we hammered out all the issues together over a bottle of wine — well, actually, she had martinis, I smoked a blunt and had the wine — and got the deal done ourselves.”

    Rousey also made clear she has no apologies for how she views her own legacy.

    “I am before anything else a martial artist. I’m better at MMA than I ever was at anything else — and f*ck who this may offend, but I am the best to have ever done it and nothing can compare to the experience of creating within my craft.”

    She described the camp itself as a healing process.

    “The joy of being in this camp and falling back into my skill again and seeing the shock on the faces of my coaches and training partners watching me create sh*t no one’s ever seen on the spot, watching me tap out some of the best in the world up to five times a round during sparring — it healed my soul.”

    Rousey closed the statement with gratitude for Carano and finality about what comes next.

    “The fight is over, it’s bittersweet because for the first time the experience of preparing for the fight eclipsed the joy any victory could have brought. But I’m finally ready to move on, this time with my head held high. Thank you, Gina.”

    Rousey vs. Carano reportedly peaked at 17 million global viewers, with the final three fights on the card averaging 12.4 million. She finishes her MMA career at 13-2.

  • Daniel Cormier Has A Take On The Ronda Rousey Win That Hunter Campbell Is Going To Love

    Daniel Cormier says Ronda Rousey’s 17-second submission of Gina Carano at MVP MMA 1 actually vindicated UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, who had been publicly criticized for blocking the fight from happening in the UFC.

    Cormier addressed the result on his YouTube channel, pushing back on the narrative that Campbell made the wrong call.

    “If I’m Hunter Campbell, who has been getting beat up in the media because he didn’t want to make this fight, I don’t know that last night did anything to say that he made the wrong decision because of the way that it ended, and that’s just me being 1,000 percent truthful. Had you had a great fight, maybe people may have questioned Hunter’s decision. But again, Hunter has made good decisions time and time again, and I believe that last night showed that he made another one by not paying a boat load of money to make that event.”

    Rousey had publicly blamed Campbell for preventing the fight from taking place in the UFC, claiming Dana White was interested in making it happen. The fight ultimately landed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions on Netflix, where Rousey submitted Carano at 17 seconds of the first round.

  • Matt Brown Rips Ronda Rousey’s Netflix Comeback: ‘There Are No Redeeming Qualities’

    Matt Brown Rips Ronda Rousey’s Netflix Comeback: ‘There Are No Redeeming Qualities’

    Matt Brown says Ronda Rousey’s comeback felt hollow from start to finish and that she missed a major opportunity to repair her relationship with combat sports fans.

    Brown, speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, offered a sweeping critique of Rousey’s approach to the fight, the promotion, and her public persona surrounding the Netflix return.

    “For me personally and I think I speak for a lot of people, there was no redeeming qualities for this card, in terms of making us bigger fans of Ronda. I don’t like how she carried herself. I don’t like how she spoke. I think she’s a narcissist, and I think she’s got a lot of mental issues, and I think she maybe needs to go to therapy or something. If she said she’s coming back for money, I get it. You’re prize fighting. Come back get a bag. There’s no redeeming quality about winning this fight. You fought someone that hasn’t fought in 17 years. What are you proud of? There’s nothing to be proud of there.”

    Brown took particular issue with how Rousey promoted the event, including her public targeting of UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell and her shots at current bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.

    “I think she’s just kind of a narcissistic person and nothing about this really felt good, in my opinion. The whole thing with this fight card, I don’t think anybody would disagree that this whole fight card from beginning to end was kind of cringe as f*ck. Ronda was just the cringiest person ever with her mean mugging the whole time and looking so angry and all the buildup, all the shit she said leading up to it. Talking so much shit to Hunter Campbell and this kind of vengeful personality that she has and all this anger and frustration. You really just need to go to therapy.”

    Brown said he viewed the comeback as a missed opportunity for genuine redemption.

    “That’s what sucks. This was kind of an opportunity for her to redeem herself for the fans and for the community in general. She certainly did not do that at all. At least I felt that way. To me, it’s not interesting. It’s not interesting, and it’s not fun. She had it written down in her pocket. It’s not exciting. It does not feel authentic.”

    He closed with a direct message about her approach to publicity.

    “We want to love Ronda. This was her opportunity — another of her thousand opportunities — but this was a huge opportunity for her to create a lot of love for her. She could have gotten even more views if she came out all humble and just speaking properly and not making it about Hunter Campbell and the UFC. Not making it about trying to go out on a win. Who the fck is doing her public relations? She’s got the fame and the money, she’s got to have a PR person in her ear saying ‘look, just speak like this.’ Even if you fake it. Just fcking say half-right things. She just can’t do it.”

    Rousey submitted Carano in 17 seconds with an armbar and announced her retirement from fighting again following the win. She has expressed interest in remaining involved with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions in an executive capacity.

  • MVP MMA: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Attendance Revealed, And It’s Not What Fans Thought

    The numbers are in for the first-ever MVP MMA event on Netflix, and they tell a very different story from what some viewers believed during the broadcast.

    The card, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano, took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. While social media chatter suggested the arena looked sparse on TV, early attendance figures paint a much stronger picture.

    According to industry analyst Dave Meltzer, the event drew 15,795 fans inside the venue. The Intuit Dome typically holds over 18,000 spectators for combat sports events, meaning the show fell short of a sellout but still filled a significant portion of the building.

    “The idea that the building was empty was ludicrous, but it was not sold out,” Meltzer wrote, pushing back against claims that the turnout was disappointing.

    The perception of empty sections may have been influenced by the arena’s layout, which some fans say does not always translate well on camera. Despite that, the turnout stands as a notable achievement, especially for a promotion outside the UFC banner.

    For context, recent UFC events at the same venue have drawn similar paid attendance figures, highlighting that MVP MMA’s debut effort managed to compete in a space typically dominated by the sport’s biggest promotion.

  • Gina Carano Weighed Heavier Than Ronda Rousey On Fight Night Despite Being Lighter At Weigh-Ins

    Gina Carano Weighed Heavier Than Ronda Rousey On Fight Night Despite Being Lighter At Weigh-Ins

    Gina Carano weighed 10 pounds more on fight night than she did at the official weigh-ins, coming in at 152 pounds after tipping the scale at 141.4 the day before Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 main event.

    Ronda Rousey, by contrast, gained just one pound overnight, going from 142 to 143. The California State Athletic Commission provided the full fight night weights to MMA Junkie, with CSAC executive director Andy Foster supplying the list.

    The size difference proved irrelevant as Rousey submitted Carano with her signature armbar in 17 seconds to win the Netflix headliner at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    The largest rehydration on the card came from Namo Fazil, who went from 170.8 pounds at the weigh-ins to 198 on fight night — a 27-pound swing.

    Full MVP MMA 1 fight night weights:

    • Ronda Rousey: 142 to 143 pounds
    • Gina Carano: 141.4 to 152 pounds
    • Nate Diaz: 168.6 to 184.6 pounds
    • Mike Perry: 169.6 to 181.4 pounds
    • Francis Ngannou: 257 to 258.6 pounds
    • Philipe Lins: 220.6 to 221 pounds
    • Salahdine Parnasse: 154.8 to 169 pounds
    • Kenneth Cross: 155.4 to 168.4 pounds
    • Junior Dos Santos: 245.4 to 249.8 pounds
    • Robelis Despaigne: 258.8 to 263.2 pounds
    • Namo Fazil: 170.8 to 198 pounds
    • Jake Babian: 171 to 186.8 pounds
    • Adriano Moraes: 129 to 138.4 pounds
    • Phumi Nkuta: 130 to 143.4 pounds
    • Jason Jackson: 170.8 to 182.6 pounds
    • Jefferson Creighton: 168.2 to 184.6 pounds
    • David Mgoyan: 145.2 to 158.8 pounds
    • Albert Morales: 143.8 to 158.6 pounds
    • Aline Pereira: 128 to 142.4 pounds
    • Jade Masson-Wong: 129.2 to 141.6 pounds
    • Chris Avila: 164 to 175.6 pounds
    • Brandon Jenkins: 164.2 to 179.2 pounds

  • MVP MMA Salaries: Ronda Rousey Earns $2.2 Million For Submission

    Those joking that Ronda Rousey’s 17-second armbar of Gina Carano in the main event of MVP MMA 1 was her “easiest payday” may not be stretching the truth too much.

    Though it’s more of a rarity these days, the base fighter pay for the MVP MMA card is now known, thanks to the disclosure by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

    Rousey, one of the headliners for the inaugural MVP MMA event, was the biggest earner of the evening, taking home a $2.2 million purse.

    Rousey’s opponent, Carano, was the third-biggest earner, taking home a $1.05 million payday.

    Between the two was Francis Ngannou. The former UFC heavyweight champion took home $1.5 million for his first-round knockout of Phillipe Lins.

    It should be noted that the reported pay by the CSAC does not include any win bonuses, signing bonuses, incentive-based bonuses, or sponsorship revenue.

    The lowest base pay for the MVP card was $40,000. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian previously told Uncrowned that this would be the minimum fighter pay, nearly four times more than the UFC’s lowest show money pay for fighters.

    The full list of MVP MMA fighter disclosed pay by the CSAC can be found below:

    • Ronda Rousey: $2,200,000
    • Gina Carano: $1,050,000
    • Nate Diaz: $500,000
    • Mike Perry: $400,000
    • Francis Ngannou: $1,500,000
    • Philipe Lins: $100,000
    • Salahdine Parnasse: $70,000
    • Kenny Cross: $50,000
    • Junior dos Santos: $80,000
    • Robelis Despaigne: $50,000
    • Namo Fazil: $40,000
    • Jake Babian: $40,000
    • Adriano Moraes: $80,000
    • Phumi Nkuta: $60,000
    • Jason Jackson: $110,000
    • Jeff Creighton: $50,000
    • David Mgoyan: $50,000
    • Albert Morales: $40,000
    • Aline Pereira: $40,000
    • Jade Masson-Wong: $40,000
    • Chris Avila: $50,000
    • Brandon Jenkins: $40,000

  • Ronda Rousey Submits Gina Carano In Seconds With Armbar

    She hasn’t stepped in the cage in over 10 years, but Ronda Rousey looked like her old self, needing mere seconds to put away Gina Carano in the main event of MVP MMA.

    Rousey scored a takedown immediately. After a failed guillotine, Rousey went right into the armbar, scoring the submission in just 17 seconds.

    Ronda Rousey Quickly Submits Gina Carano In 17 Seconds At MVP MMA

    This was Rousey’s first MMA fight since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. The former UFC and Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion has since had a pair of stints with the WWE, where she became a multiple-time women’s world champion.

    This was Carano’s first fight since losing to Cris Cyborg in 2009. Carano has since gone on to a career in film and television media.

  • MVP MMA Results: Rousey vs. Carano Live Updates & Highlights

    MVP MMA Results: Rousey vs. Carano Live Updates & Highlights

    MVP MMA results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The main event will feature a women’s featherweight bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano – Women’s Featherweight Main Event

    This will be Rousey’s first professional MMA fight since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. After winning a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics, Rousey elevated herself and women’s MMA with her finishes in the cage, going on to become Strikeforce and (the inaugural) UFC women’s bantamweight champion. This marks Rousey’s first fight at women’s featherweight since the very early portion of her career.

    This marks Carano’s first MMA fight since losing to Cris Cyborg in 2009, the sole loss in Carano’s MMA career. Carano, a women’s MMA pioneer, won seven straight fights before that defeat.

    The co-main event will see Nate Diaz take on Mike Perry. This marks Diaz’s first professional MMA fight since defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Diaz has since fought twice in boxing. Perry, now a standout fighter in BKFC, will be competing in a professional MMA bout for the first time since parting with the UFC in 2021.

    Francis Ngannou also makes his MMA return at this event, taking on Phillipe Lins. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, fought just one time for the PFL, defeating Renan Ferreira. Lins, who won the 2018 PFL heavyweight title, went 4-2 in the UFC. Lins last fought in professional MMA at UFC 299, defeating Ion Cutelaba.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from MVP MMA!

    How to Watch MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano

    • Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
    • Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
    • Streaming: Netflix (Main Card), YouTube (Prelims)
    • Prelims: 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano Quick Results

    • Main Event: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano — Ronda Rousey def. Gina Carano via submission (armbar) (Rd. 1, 0:17)
    • Co-Main Event: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry — Mike Perry def. Nate Diaz via TKO (stoppage) (Rd. 2, 5:00)
    • Francis Ngannou vs. Phillipe Lins — Francis Ngannou def. Phillipe Lins via KO (Rd. 1, 4:31)
    • Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross — Salahdine Parnasse def. Kenneth Cross via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:18)
    • Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne — Robelis Despaigne def. Junior dos Santos via KO (Rd. 1, 2:59)

    MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (YouTube, 6 PM ET)

    Catchweight (165 lbs): Chris Avila vs. Brandon Jenkins

    Result: Brandon Jenkins def. Chris Avila via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Aline Pereira vs. Jade Masson-Wong

    Result: Aline Pereira def. Jade Masson-Wong via split decision (29-28 x2, 27-30)

    Featherweight: David Mgoyan vs. Albert Morales

    Result: David Mgoyan def. Albert Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)

    Welterweight: Jason Jackson vs. Jeff Creighton

    Result: Jason Jackson def. Jeff Creighton via KO (Rd. 1, 0:22)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Adriano Moraes vs. Phumi Nkuta

    Result: Adriano Moraes def. Phumi Nkuta via technical submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:59)

    Welterweight: Namo Fazil vs. Jake Babian

    Result: Namo Fazil def. Jake Babian via submission (anaconda choke) (Rd. 2, 0:58)

    Main Card (Netflix, 9 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne

    Result: Robelis Despaigne def. Junior dos Santos via KO (Rd. 1, 2:59)

    Lightweight: Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross

    Result: Salahdine Parnasse def. Kenneth Cross via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:18)

    Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou vs. Phillipe Lins

    Result: Francis Ngannou def. Phillipe Lins via KO (Rd. 1, 4:31)

    Welterweight: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry

    Result: Mike Perry def. Nate Diaz via TKO (stoppage) (Rd. 2, 5:00)

    Women’s Featherweight: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano

    Result: Ronda Rousey def. Gina Carano via submission (armbar) (Rd. 1, 0:17)

  • Ronda Rousey And Gina Carano Get Face-To-Face At Weigh-Ins

    Ronda Rousey And Gina Carano Get Face-To-Face At Weigh-Ins

    Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano delivered an intense faceoff at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 main event on Netflix, with the two pioneers finally letting their competitive sides show after a respectful buildup.

    Rousey got right in Carano’s face during the staredown, millimeters separating the two. Carano met the energy, squaring up and going nearly nose-to-nose before dancing as they continued to hold eye contact.

    After the faceoff, Carano addressed the crowd and revealed she had lost 100 pounds to make weight for the fight.

    “I had no idea I could get down to 141. I got lighter than Ronda today. That was pretty cool. Live your dreams, don’t give up on yourself, do the hard thing. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but here I am. That was the first victory. I’m going to give you another victory tomorrow night.”

    Rousey, who has confirmed this will be her final fight, took a moment to reflect on the occasion.

    “Usually, I’m just trying to skip through this part and get to the end, but man, it’s really cool to be here. Thank you guys for all coming out. This is my very last weigh-in. I’m glad you could all be part of it, and I can’t wait to kick some ass tomorrow.”

    Carano came in at 141.4 pounds at Friday morning’s official weigh-ins, with Rousey at 142. Both came in under the 146-pound featherweight limit. The two face off Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

  • The Netflix Era Begins: Will MVP MMA Be The New Threat To UFC?

    The Netflix Era Begins: Will MVP MMA Be The New Threat To UFC?

    Saturday, May 16, marks an important day in the world of MMA, as Most Valuable Promotions holds its highly anticipated inaugural MMA event.

    The Jake Paul-led promotion, after putting on various boxing cards over the years, now looks to start a run in promoting MMA. It looks to be the latest alternative product to the UFC, starting things off with a bang by featuring a mix of star names and up-and-comers.

    The main event will feature the returns of two women’s MMA legends — Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. The bout is scheduled to be a five-round women’s featherweight contest.

    This will be Rousey’s first fight since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. The former UFC and Strikeforce champion has since had a pair of stints with the WWE, earning women’s championships.

    Carano, meanwhile, has not fought since her loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce in 2009. After MMA, Carano made a career for himself in film and television.

    The co-main event will be a five-round welterweight bout featuring Nate Diaz taking on Mike Perry.

    Diaz has not fought in MMA since his win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 in September 2022. Diaz has since fought in a pair of boxing matches, losing to Jake Paul and defeating Jorge Masvidal. Perry has not fought in professional MMA since parting with the UFC in 2021, but he’s made a name for himself in BKFC.

    Francis Ngannou also makes his return on this card, taking on Phillipe Lins. This is the former UFC heavyweight champion’s first MMA bout since defeating Renan Ferreira in his lone PFL bout in October 2024. Lins won the PFL heavyweight title in its inaugural 2018 season. He then went to the UFC, losing his first two bouts before winning four straight, before parting ways with the promotion. Lins has not fought since his UFC 299 win over Ion Cutelaba.

    Ahead of the MVP MMA card, MMANews’ Thomas Albano and Pranav Pandey shared their thoughts on the event.

    What do you think this Saturday’s MVP MMA event needs to do to be considered a success?

    Thomas Albano: When I heard Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano was going to happen under the MVP banner on Netflix, my head was scratching. Then they added Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou to the card, and I wondered if this was going to be a one-and-done gimmick show. Then the other names came in, and I’ve seen the pre-event hype behind this card. And I can honestly say I’m super pumped to tune in to MVP’s first MMA card on May 16.

    I think for this card to be a true success, MVP has to remember the mission of being an alternative product. Is there going to be Netflix crossover? Of course. That happens with a lot of Netflix products and broadcasts. Does having two people who haven’t fought in MMA in 10+ years each sound concerning? It can be.

    But ultimately, it just comes down to the fights delivering. Strong performances and fun fights up and down the card, even if not every fight is a home run, and highlight finishes will gain more traction. The better this card does, the stronger of a start for MVP MMA. And that can mean upward trajectory for future events.

    Pranav Prandy:  I think MVP has been pretty smart in how they’ve built this card. Stacking the main card with recognizable names who’ve already made a mark in the UFC almost guarantees attention. There’s a built-in audience there, and with the event streaming on Netflix, the reach alone could push it into “success” territory purely on numbers.

    That said, I’m not entirely convinced the fight week buzz will match that scale. The pre-fight press conference turnout might not be anything special, which could hint at a softer on-ground presence. But in today’s landscape, that doesn’t necessarily matter as much as digital traction, and I do expect this event to pull solid viewership on Saturday night.

    As for what MVP needs to do to be considered a success, in my opinion, most of the heavy lifting is already done. The promotion has been adequate, the names are there, and the platform is massive. Now it really comes down to delivering entertaining fights. If the action lives up to expectations, this event won’t just be a success, it might even force the UFC to pay attention a little more closely.

    Do you think Rousey vs. Carano will be a hit or a flop?

    Thomas Albano: If we were living in the early 2010s right now, this would be an all-time barnburner for women’s MMA. Carano is a pioneer of this sport for its female athletes. Rousey, meanwhile, built a legacy for herself with each fight, and she is one fighter who helped bring the UFC more and more mainstream in the previously mentioned decade.

    But time has not done this matchup any favors. It’s unique, it’s nostalgic, but that’s all. It’s been a decade since Amanda Nunes obliterated Rousey. It’s been longer since Carano ran into Cris Cyborg. The two have name value and star power, especially Rousey, but we shouldn’t expect a war in the cage.

    This fight, along with the other names of this card, will certainly bring eyeballs to the point where the event is a hit. The competitiveness and quality of the fight, however? Probably a different story.

    Pranav Prandy: I’m not entirely sure this is the fight fans were really asking for, especially when you consider the combined hiatus of both fighters, which is well over two decades. Personally, I’m not that excited for it from a competitive standpoint.

    Rousey’s name still carries serious weight, no doubt about that. In fact, this fight could serve as a reality check to see whether she still commands the same level of star power she had during her UFC run. With Carano, I think her presence adds more to the overall spectacle and glamour of the event, which isn’t a bad thing, but it does shift the focus slightly away from pure competition.

    When it comes to the actual fight, I don’t expect a high-level MMA showcase. The ring rust is likely to be quite evident on both sides. If they end up delivering an entertaining scrap, then full credit to them, but I’m not counting on it.

    So in terms of name value and mainstream attention, I think it will be a hit. But if we’re judging it strictly as a competitive MMA contest, I don’t see it being particularly engaging.

    What is the fight you are most looking forward to?

    Thomas Albano: I don’t want to discredit the rest of the MVP MMA card. I, for one, actually am looking forward to a Francis Ngannou return. And I want to see the prospective talents that MVP MMA has signed, because the promotion needs talent of the future to be the kind of alternative product it wants to be.

    But, come on, there’s only one choice for the people’s main event: Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry.

    Of the three major fights on this main card, which have taken a lot of the hype, this is the one I’m most uncertain about. Diaz is always fun to watch, and he’s not going to be afraid to go to war against “Platinum” Perry.

    He and Perry will probably have some of those fun exchanges; however, Perry’s aggressiveness and his striking, which he’s developed with the BKFC, might cause a problem and risk opening up a cut on Diaz. Diaz is definitely the better grappler, and getting Perry to the ground should be a mission for him.

    However long it lasts, I hope this ends up being the best fight of the night.

    Pranav Prandy: For me, it has to be Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry. Both guys are pure entertainment and have built their reputations on bringing chaos every time they step in to compete. It’s always a pleasure watching Diaz fight. There’s a certain unpredictability and toughness he brings that never really fades. On the other side, Perry is coming in with serious momentum, especially off his success in BKFC, and that makes this matchup even more intriguing.

    I do think Perry is going to pose some real problems with his aggression and current form. But at the same time, Diaz is not someone who goes away quietly. He thrives in those gritty, drawn-out battles. This one just feels like it has all the ingredients to steal the show.

    What name outside of the big 3 fights should people look out for?

    Thomas Albano: The obvious answer is going to be Salahdine Parnasse, given how he’s on the main card and how he fared for himself in KSW, becoming a two-division champion.

    Parnasse has the opportunity to be that kind of future talent MVP needs beyond established names. He’s 28 years old and comes into this bout with a 22-2 record, one of the top names outside the UFC. He’s been a featherweight and lightweight champion in KSW, and he once challenged for the welterweight title.

    For variety’s sake, I’ll also throw in Jason Jackson and Aline Pereira. If you never watched Bellator or PFL, or The Ultimate Fighter season 21, you’ll enjoy Jackson’s abilities in the cage. You know you have a solid card when a former Bellator champion is on the prelims. Pereira, meanwhile, is the sister of Alex Pereira. If she can deliver a knockout, she’ll definitely have some eyes on her in MVP.

    Pranav Prandy: One name I’m definitely keeping an eye on is Salahdine Parnasse. He’s already built a serious reputation in KSW as a two-division champion, and this feels like a big moment for him to introduce himself to a wider audience.

    What makes his story even more interesting is that the UFC has been interested in him for quite some time, but he’s turned those opportunities down, largely due to financial reasons. That’s not something you see often, and it says a lot about the position he’s built for himself in the European scene.

    He’s already a proven draw over there, but this card gives him a real chance to break into the U.S. market in a meaningful way. If he can deliver a standout performance against Kenny Cross, it could shift the conversation around him entirely.

    Does the UFC attempt to steal momentum with a Conor McGregor announcement on Saturday night?

    Thomas Albano: I’d be more surprised if there wasn’t an announcement. Ariel Helwani mentioned last week that he expected an announcement at UFC 328, but that event came and went with just an update from Dana White that things were looking good for McGregor’s return.

    But here’s the thing: If you really think about it, it makes more sense strategically for the UFC to do something like that this week. It’s a way for them to try to drag attention away from MVP. And this theory might have some legs now that the New York Post has reported on details being finalized for McGregor vs. Holloway.

    When McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fell through a couple of years ago, did you think it was just coincidental that the UFC’s confirmation — and announcement of UFC 303’s replacement main event — came on a Thursday night during a PFL card?

    I fully expect an announcement of McGregor’s UFC return on May 16, especially with the UFC’s International Fight Week two months away. Will the fight actually happen? Who knows. But if things are just about ready, I totally see this happening.

    That said, I don’t think it does too much damage to the traction MVP would get anyway.

    Pranav Prandy: There’s definitely some noise around a potential Conor McGregor return, possibly at UFC 329 in July, and even Ariel Helwani has hinted that an announcement could come as soon as this weekend.

    If that happens, it would clearly be a calculated move by Dana White and the UFC to grab headlines and shift some of the spotlight away from the MVP MMA card. Given the ongoing friction between White and Jake Paul, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if they chose this moment to make a statement.

    From a strategic standpoint, it makes perfect sense. If you have your biggest star ready to be announced, this is exactly the kind of moment you use to remind everyone who still dominates the space.

    That said, I don’t think it would drastically impact either promotion in the long run. Both sides are likely to generate their own traction regardless. An announcement might steal a few headlines for a day, but it won’t really take anything away from MVP, and it certainly won’t hurt the UFC either.

    Will MVP MMA be a one-and-done? Or will there be more?

    Thomas Albano: I know Jake Paul is not the most popular person in the combat sports space. I know that to this day, there are people who hate him because he doesn’t fall into the tradition of boxing. I know that his personality can be one that turns people off.

    But here’s the thing: If you’re someone who wants to see an alternate product, you have to root for MVP and hope it succeeds. More promotions mean more choice for fans and fighters. Disrupting the UFC’s tight grasp on the combat sports world is a lot easier said than done. However, if that were to happen, it’d have quite the effect on the MMA economy.

    With MVP’s commitment to try and do such a thing, it seems clear there will be more events beyond this first one. Two things are going to be needed, however. Firstly, while they loaded this card with names, they still need to save star power to headline future cards. That’s going to be needed while they build their own stars.

    That’s the second thing — they need their own homegrown talents that people will tune in to MVP for, regardless of where they’re on the card and who is headlining. Homegrown talents will help to further a strong identity for MVP MMA, and it will do more for showing fighters they have a choice in where they want to take their career and make money.

    Pranav Prandy: This is the one I’m least certain about. It’s clear that MVP, along with Jake Paul, is aiming to disrupt the UFC’s long-standing grip on the global MMA market. With Netflix backing them, the potential reach is massive, which suggests they’re at least thinking beyond just a single event.

    But sustaining that kind of momentum is a different challenge altogether. To keep this going, they’ll need to consistently bring in big names who can headline and draw attention. That’s not easy in a space where the UFC still holds most of the elite roster.

    In a perfect world, something like Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou would be the kind of blockbuster fight that changes everything. Realistically, though, that feels a bit out of reach for now.

    I think it ultimately comes down to how this weekend performs. The response they get, both in terms of viewership and overall buzz, will play a huge role in deciding whether this becomes a long-term venture or just a one-off experiment.

  • Ronda Rousey Held Her Tongue For Nine Years Before Finally Firing Back At Demetrious Johnson

    Ronda Rousey Held Her Tongue For Nine Years Before Finally Firing Back At Demetrious Johnson

    Ronda Rousey publicly responded for the first time to comments Demetrious Johnson made about her nearly nine years ago, calling him out on Instagram ahead of her comeback fight.

    In May 2017, during a Q&A with Sports Illustrated, Johnson was asked about handling potential disappointment and brought up Rousey unprompted.

    “You look at Ronda Rousey. You got your ass beat, grow the fck up. It happens. It’s mixed martial arts. I don’t want to be like that. If I lose, I’ll be like, ‘I lost.’ Everybody fcking loses. It’s part of the sport. Grow up. Look, Ronda, you lost two fcking fights in a row, and you made more fcking money than the women’s roster. You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.”

    Rousey had never publicly addressed the remarks until this week. In a video posted by All the Smoke on Instagram on Wednesday, she was asked about Johnson while discussing her upcoming fight against Gina Carano.

    “Fck you, DJ, OK? I was totally cool about you, and I put you over, and you were being — you said some nasty ass sht about me.”

    Rousey has not competed since her 48-second TKO loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. She returns to MMA on Saturday when she faces Carano in the Netflix debut of MVP MMA at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Johnson went on to break Anderson Silva’s record with his 11th consecutive flyweight title defense before losing the belt to Henry Cejudo. He was later traded to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren.

  • Ronda Rousey And Gina Carano Both Make Weight Ahead Of MVP MMA 1 On Netflix

    Ronda Rousey And Gina Carano Both Make Weight Ahead Of MVP MMA 1 On Netflix

    Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano both made weight Friday morning ahead of Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Rousey came in at 142 pounds and Carano at 141.4, both under the 146-pound featherweight limit. It marked Rousey’s first weigh-in for an MMA fight in nearly 10 years, and Carano’s first in almost 17 years.

    Nate Diaz and Mike Perry also hit the scale for their welterweight co-headliner, as did Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins for their heavyweight main card bout. Official weigh-ins took place at the host hotel ahead of ceremonial weigh-ins set for 9 p.m. ET outside the Intuit Dome.

    Full MVP MMA 1 weigh-in results:

    Main Card

    • Ronda Rousey (142) vs. Gina Carano (141.4)
    • Nate Diaz (168.6) vs. Mike Perry (169.6)
    • Philipe Lins (220.6) vs. Francis Ngannou (257)
    • Kenneth Cross (155.4) vs. Salahdine Parnasse (154.8)
    • Robelis Despaigne (258.8) vs. Junior Dos Santos (245.4)

    Preliminary Card

    • Jake Babian (171) vs. Namo Fazil (170.8)
    • Adriano Moraes (129) vs. Phumi Nkuta (130)
    • Jeff Creighton (168.2) vs. Jason Jackson (170.8)
    • David Mgoyan (145.2) vs. Albert Morales (143.8)
    • Jade Masson-Wong (129.2) vs. Aline Pereira (128)
    • Chris Avila (164) vs. Brandon Jenkins (164.2)
  • Jake Paul Claims Ronda Rousey Is Being Paid More For Netflix Fight Than Ilia Topuria Earns In UFC

    Jake Paul Claims Ronda Rousey Is Being Paid More For Netflix Fight Than Ilia Topuria Earns In UFC

    Jake Paul claims Ronda Rousey is being paid more for her Netflix comeback fight than UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria earns for title defenses.

    Speaking on the Death Row MMA show with Jorge Masvidal, Paul made the claim while discussing pay for Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event on Netflix, headlined by Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    “Here’s what I can say: I know how much Ronda Rousey is making for this event and it’s a lot more than what Ilia Topuria makes for fighting.”

    Topuria next defends his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. Paul also claimed undercard fighters on Saturday’s card will earn significantly more than their UFC counterparts, stating pay is “definitely more than the UFC by a lot.” No fighter on the Rousey vs. Carano undercard will earn less than $40,000, with Rousey, Nate Diaz, and Francis Ngannou all expected to receive pay exceeding what they would have earned for comparable UFC appearances.

    Masvidal, who retired in 2023 following a loss to Gilbert Burns, pushed back on the idea that entry-level UFC pay needs fixing, while agreeing that mid-tier and ranked fighters deserve more.

    “I like the way you see it, but to be honest with you, in fighting, that 12 and 12 or when I was fighting it was, like, 4 and 4, that’s still like [six times] of what you make on the regional side. It’s good money if you do get there, but where we do need a dramatic change is more like when you’re in the top 10, top 15 already.”

    Paul countered that better base pay would improve the overall talent pool by allowing fighters to train full-time rather than working second jobs.

    “I think the difference is it would create better talent and better fighters because they wouldn’t have to be working other jobs in between training sessions. It would actually grow the sport in the long run if these people making the minimum pay didn’t have to go be a teacher or a janitor or work for UPS.”

  • Ronda Rousey Has Set Specific Number She Needs To Hit On Netflix To Call Saturday A Success

    Ronda Rousey Has Set Specific Number She Needs To Hit On Netflix To Call Saturday A Success

    Ronda Rousey wants her Netflix comeback fight against Gina Carano to break the all-time MMA viewership record.

    Speaking at Wednesday’s open workout ahead of Saturday’s MVP MMA 1 event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Rousey set a clear target for the event.

    “In numbers, I just want to be able to beat the numbers for the most viewed MMA fight of all time — about 9 million. So beating 9 million will be a success for me. Blowing it out of the park will make me very happy, but that’s all I really want to get out of this. I just want to be able to convince MVP and Netflix that there’s something here, and it’s worth the investment, and this is going to be huge and that they should stay in the MMA game and not just dabble in it this one time.”

    The record she is targeting is the 8.8 million viewers who watched the first UFC heavyweight title bout between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez on FOX in 2011.

    Rousey framed Saturday as an audition for a larger role in building the sport on the platform.

    “I have experience in this field. I feel like I’m the best person for the job and this, I guess, is my audition to be like, ‘Hey, you should have me around to do this a whole lot more often.’ So hopefully this is a huge success and this isn’t the last time I’ll be able to try and push the envelope.”

    Rousey has not competed since 2016. Carano’s last fight was in 2009.

  • MVP MMA Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    MVP MMA Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    The first MVP MMA card comes this weekend, and the inaugural MMA outing from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions brings the returns of two women’s MMA legends.

    In the main event of MVP MMA, Ronda Rousey takes on Gina Carano in a women’s featherweight matchup.

    After winning a judo bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, Rousey made her pro MMA debut in 2011, quickly going on to win the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight championship. She became the UFC’s inaugural champion in the weight class and competed in the UFC’s first women’s MMA bout, going on to have a legendary title reign until Holly Holm ended it at UFC 193.

    Rousey hasn’t fought since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. She has since had two stints with the WWE, going on to become a multiple-time women’s world champion in professional wrestling.

    Carano made her professional MMA debut in 2006, winning seven straight fights while competing for promotions like Strikeforce and EliteXC. Carano has not fought since her sole pro loss, losing the inaugural Strikeforce women’s featherweight title fight in 2009 against Cris Cyborg. Carano has since gone on to have a career in film and television.

    The co-main event will feature another legendary MMA name, Nate Diaz, taking on Mike Perry.

    This will be Diaz’s first professional MMA fight since defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 279. Diaz has since fought twice in boxing, losing to Jake Paul and defeating former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal.

    This will be Perry’s first MMA fight in five years, having not competed in the discipline since his April 2021 loss to Daniel Rodriguez. He’s since made a name for himself with BKFC, becoming their King of Violence and scoring wins over the likes of Michael “Venom” Page, Eddie Alvarez, and Jeremy Stephens.

    Also featured will be the return of Francis Ngannou, as he takes on Phillipe Lins. After departing the UFC as heavyweight champion, Ngannou fought just once with the PFL, defeating Renan Ferreira in October 2024. Lins, who won the inaugural PFL heavyweight season in 2018, hasn’t fought since defeating Ion Cutelaba at UFC 299. He departed the UFC on a four-fight win streak, going 4-2 in the promotion.

    The main card will also feature Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross and Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne.

    MVP MMA Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for MVP MMA, as of 1 am ET on May 14, courtesy of DraftKings:

    NOTE: As of the time of writing, many prop bets for prelim bouts are not available

    Preliminary Card (YouTube, 6 pm ET)

    Catchweight (165 lbs): Chris Avila (+250) vs. Brandon Jenkins (-310)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Aline Pereira (-425) vs. Jade Masson-Wong (+330)

    Featherweight: David Mgoyan (-535) vs. Albert Morales (+400)

    Welterweight: Jason Jackson (N/A) vs. Jefferson Creighton (N/A)

    Catchweight (130 lbs): Adriano Moraes (N/A) vs. Phumi Nkuta (N/A)

    Welterweight: Namo Fazil (-345) vs. Jake Bobian (+275)

    Main Card (Netflix, 9 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Junior dos Santos (+300) vs. Robelis Despaigne (-380)

    Lightweight: Salahdine Parnasse (-1100) vs. Kenneth Cross (+700)

    Heavyweight: Francis Ngannou (-1450) vs. Philipe Lins (+850)

    Welterweight: Nate Diaz (+180) vs. Mike Perry (-218)

    Women’s Featherweight: Ronda Rousey (-535) vs. Gina Carano (+400)

    MVP MMA Predictions & Best Bets

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano: It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen either woman in action, and somehow, still one woman has been way out of the cage longer than the other. This one is ultimately going to come down to who has more rust on them and how seriously the two take this fight. Some feel that Carano will have a size factor in this fight and overwhelm Rousey with her striking; however, it’s hard to pick Carano when it’s been 17 years since her last fight. At least the time in WWE has kept Rousey in some form of combative, athletic action. (Prediction: Rousey) (Best Bet: Rousey to win via submission in Round 1 [+100])

    Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry: This one is WILD and can fall any way. Both men have been away from professional MMA for a few years, with Diaz having a couple of boxing matchups and Perry becoming the star of BKFC. Diaz could look to use his grappling to his advantage, but how much of that will he do compared to trying to get into a wild scrap with “Platinum” Perry? Let’s lean toward Diaz being smart in this one and catching a wild Perry for a victory. The fight’s going one of two ways, and both don’t see this fight going to the final horn. (Prediction: Diaz) (Best Bet: Fight does NOT go the distance [-130])

    Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins: Philipe Lins might have exited the UFC on a four-fight win streak, but he and Ngannou have been out of action for a similar amount of time. And when it comes to strength, Lins doesn’t compare to what “The Predator” can offer. He is going to need to find a way to touch up Ngannou while avoiding his power. Doing that for 15 full minutes is a lot easier said than done, though. (Prediction: Ngannou) (Best Bet: Ngannou to win via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 [-135])

    Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenneth Cross: For this event to be more than just a one-and-done, it needs to have some strong undercard and rising names to balance out with the big stars. Those who really love this sport and have not seen Salahdine Parnasse fight yet will be in for a treat. He’s won two titles in the KSW, and his boxing base has provided him with strong knockout power and a great finishing ability (with great ground game to balance it out). Meanwhile, Kenneth Cross is a solid veteran with a strong wrestling background who looks to end things on the ground. This should be a fun outing, but Parnasse has more to him in terms of skillset and upside, and that should give him the edge here. (Prediction: Parnasse) (Prediction: Parnasse to win in Round 2 [+330])

    Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne: Junior dos Santos is a legendary name in the UFC, but his tenure there ended with a four-fight losing skid between 2019 and 2020. He’s fought just three times since — two times competing in bare-knuckle MMA. Robelis Despaigne had a strong UFC start at UFC 299, but his two losses afterward left a lot to be desired. Still, he’s found a home for himself in Karate Combat, where he knocked out Sam Alvey to become their heavyweight champion. JDS’ age and time away from competition are not going to fare well for him here, especially against someone like Despaigne who can use his size and Taekwondo and karate-based striking to put the former UFC heavyweight champion in trouble. (Prediction: Despaigne) (Best Bet: Despaigne to Win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 [-125])

    Namo Fazil vs. Jake Babian: These two are up-and-coming welterweights looking to make a statement on a big stage. Both are strong strikers, with Fazil combining Muay Thai and taekwondo, while Babian mixes up his boxing with work in jiu-jitsu. This might be closer than what the odds suggest as of now, but Fazil’s striking seems just that more developed, and it probably leads him to a win. (Prediction: Fazil)

    Adriano Moraes vs. Phumi Nkuta: It’s a shame that we’re not getting Adriano Moraes vs. Muhammad Mokaev, but Phumi Nkuta is one to watch. Nkuta, who trains under Ray Longo, is 11-0, a champion of Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat and Warrior Cage Grappling, ranked one of the top regional flyweights in the U.S., let alone the Northeast U.S. Moraes found plenty of success in ONE as their flyweight champion, but he’s lost three of his last four. This is going to be a battle between two grappling-heavy talents, and while Moraes has the experience, don’t be surprised if the younger Nkuta, fired up to make a statement, pulls off the victory. (Prediction: Nkuta)

    Jason Jackson vs. Jeff Creighton: After spending the last couple of years with the PFL, following its acquisition of Bellator, Jason Jackson gets the chance to show why he’s been a solid talent outside of the UFC. The former Bellator champ takes on Jeff Creighton, replacing Lorenz Larkin, who came onto the MMA scene after his time with The Ultimate Fighter last year. When you take into account the experience and championship factors of Jackson, combined with opponent history, it’s a solid chance for Creighton to impress, but it’s going to be hard for him to win against Jackson. (Prediction: Jackson)

    David Mgoyan vs. Albert Morales: Spotlight opportunity time for David Mgoyan. At just 21, Mgoyan is already 8-1, looking to continue to build himself following his loss to Tommy McMillen on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. Albert Morales has experience in the UFC and Bellator, but he’s fought a lot more on the regional circuit. And while he’s clearly the more experienced fighter, Mgoyan’s wrestling (benefited by being the training partner of Arman Tsarukyan) will elevate the young man to a win in this one. (Prediction: Mgoyan)

    Aline Pereira vs. Jade Masson-Wong: MVP hopes that they have an answer to “Poatan” — his younger sister. Though just 2-2 in professional MMA, Aline Pereira has shown herself to be an excellent striker through her experience in kickboxing and karate. Pereira, in fact, is a Karate Combat champion. Don’t count out Jade Masson-Wong, however, an accomplished striker herself with plenty of experience in BKFC. Let’s hope for a fun war in this one. (Prediction: Pereira)

    Chris Avila vs. Brandon Jenkins: Chris Avila has had fights with UFC and Bellator, but he’s more known for his boxing of late, battling the likes of Benson Henderson, Anthony Pettis, and Jeremy Stephens. Jenkins has also fought for the UFC, as well as the PFL and LFA in the past, with a lot of his recent work coming in karate and bare-knuckle MMA. While Jenkins doesn’t have the recent winning momentum, Avila hasn’t fought in MMA since 2021, and Jenkins has a better record under his belt. (Prediction: Jenkins)

  • Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Gets Elite Referee Crew For Top 3 Fights

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Gets Elite Referee Crew For Top 3 Fights

    Referee assignments have been finalized for the biggest fights on this weekend’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card, with several veteran officials set to oversee the action.

    The event takes place on Saturday, May 16, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and streams live on Netflix. Headlining the card, Ronda Rousey faces Gina Carano in a historic featherweight bout marking both fighters’ long-awaited return to MMA.

    For the main event, legendary referee John McCarthy has been assigned to officiate the clash. Widely regarded as one of the most experienced officials in the sport, his involvement adds further weight to the high-profile matchup.

    In the co-main event, Nate Diaz squares off against Mike Perry, with Mike Beltran set to handle officiating duties. The bout brings together two of the sport’s most unpredictable personalities, both known for their durability and fan-friendly styles, making it one of the most anticipated fights on the card.

    Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou returns to MMA against Philipe Lins, with Herb Dean assigned to referee the contest. It marks Ngannou’s continued comeback following a difficult stretch that included a move into boxing and personal adversity outside the cage.

  • UFC Legends And Top Analysts Join Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Broadcast Team

    UFC Legends And Top Analysts Join Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Broadcast Team

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is already one of the most talked-about combat sports events of the year, and now the promotion has added even more star power with the official reveal of its broadcast team.

    Set to take place this Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the event will stream exclusively on Netflix under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. The card is headlined by the long-awaited return of Ronda Rousey against Gina Carano in a five-round featherweight showdown.

    For the live broadcast, veteran commentator Mauro Ranallo will handle play-by-play duties, joined cageside by former UFC fighter Kenny Florian as the color analyst. Sibley Scoles will serve as the roving reporter throughout the night, while Sean Wheelock takes on rules and scoring analysis. The in-cage announcing responsibilities will be handled by Kody Mommaerts.

    The desk coverage will be anchored by Elle Duncan, alongside former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley and veteran journalist Ariel Helwani. The panel is expected to feature several high-profile guest appearances during the broadcast, including former UFC champions Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez, as well as Cat Zingano.

    The event marks a significant moment for Netflix as it continues expanding into live combat sports, with this being one of its most high-profile MMA broadcasts to date.

    Fight week coverage will also include multiple live elements. Open workouts are scheduled for Wednesday, followed by the official press conference on Thursday hosted by Helwani. Ceremonial weigh-ins will take place on Friday, with analysis from Woodley and Florian alongside additional commentary from Velasquez.

    Fans will be able to tune in early, with the preliminary card beginning at 6 p.m. ET on MVP’s YouTube channel, while the main card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix.

  • When Was Gina Carano’s Last MMA Fight? Taking A Closer Look At “Conviction’s” Record Ahead Of May 16 Return Against Ronda Rousey

    When Was Gina Carano’s Last MMA Fight? Taking A Closer Look At “Conviction’s” Record Ahead Of May 16 Return Against Ronda Rousey

    Gina Carano was one of the original crossover stars in women’s mixed martial arts, long before the UFC even introduced female divisions. With her charisma, striking style, and mainstream popularity, Carano helped push women’s MMA into the spotlight during the late 2000s and became one of the sport’s first recognizable female stars.

    Now, nearly 17 years after stepping away from professional competition, Carano is slated to return to the cage against Ronda Rousey on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The bout headlines a Most Valuable Promotions card streaming live on Netflix and marks one of the most unexpected comeback fights in recent MMA history.

    With “Conviction” finally making her long-awaited return, many fans have started revisiting her MMA career and asking one major question: when exactly did she last compete, and what happened in that fight? Let’s take a closer look.

    Image: @MostVpromotions/X

    Gina Carano’s Last MMA Fight

    Carano’s final MMA appearance took place at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg on August 15, 2009, in San Jose, California. She faced Cris Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce women’s featherweight championship in what became the first women’s bout to headline a major MMA event.

    The fight ended late in the opening round after Cyborg overwhelmed “Conviction” with strikes, earning a TKO stoppage at 4:59 of Round 1. That defeat marked the lone loss of Carano’s professional MMA career.

    Following the fight, the 44-year-old Texan stepped away from MMA and transitioned into acting, eventually appearing in major Hollywood projects such as Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, Deadpool, and The Mandalorian. Over the years, speculation about a comeback surfaced several times, but no fight materialized until the announcement of her clash with Rousey earlier this year.

    Carano initially retired with a professional MMA record of 7-1, including notable victories over Julie Kedzie, Kelly Kobold, and Kaitlin Young. Now, after almost two decades away from competition, she finally gets the chance to step back into the cage once again.

  • Did Ronda Rousey Win Her Last Fight? Revisiting “Rowdy’s” MMA Record Before May 16 Comeback Against Gina Carano

    Did Ronda Rousey Win Her Last Fight? Revisiting “Rowdy’s” MMA Record Before May 16 Comeback Against Gina Carano

    Ronda Rousey once stood as the defining face of women’s MMA, turning a niche division into a global attraction. An Olympic bronze medalist in judo, she translated her elite grappling into a dominant run that helped bring female fighters into the UFC spotlight.

    Nearly a decade after stepping away from competition, the former UFC bantamweight champion is now preparing to step back into the cage.

    “Rowdy” is set to headline a historic return bout against Gina Carano on May 16. The fight will take place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles under the Most Valuable Promotions banner. Contested at 145 pounds over five rounds, the matchup brings together two pioneers of the sport who have been away from MMA for a combined 25 years.

    With her comeback approaching, many fans are revisiting her career and asking a key question. Did Rousey end her MMA run with a victory or a loss? To understand that, it is worth taking a closer look at how her final fights played out.

    Image: @MostVpromotions/X

    Ronda Rousey’s Last MMA Fight

    Ronda Rousey’s final MMA appearance came at UFC 207 in December 2016, where she faced Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title in Las Vegas.

    The fight was brief and one-sided, as Nunes overwhelmed Rousey with striking and secured a first-round TKO stoppage. It marked a difficult end to Rousey’s fighting career and confirmed a second straight defeat.

    The 39-year-old Californian’s previous outing had already shaken her dominance. At UFC 193 in November 2015, Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm via a stunning head kick knockout. That result snapped her unbeaten streak and remains one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

    Those two defeats remain the only setbacks on her record, which stands at 12-2, with every victory coming by finish. She secured notable wins over fighters such as Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Liz Carmouche during her title reign.

    As “Rowdy” prepares for her return on May 16, the question now is whether she can bounce back and get her hand raised once again.

  • Ronda Rousey Reveals Life-Changing Medical Diagnosis Before Gina Carano Fight

    Ronda Rousey Reveals Life-Changing Medical Diagnosis Before Gina Carano Fight

    Ronda Rousey has revealed a medical development ahead of her May 16 return against Gina Carano on Netflix, disclosing that Dana White arranged for her to visit the Cleveland Clinic after she pitched the fight, where doctors identified a condition that has been affecting her for years.

    Speaking with Complex News, Rousey explained that what she had been experiencing was not simply the result of concussions but a more specific condition linked to them.

    “Thanks to Dana, when I was talking about doing this fight, he sent me to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Bernick thinks what I’m dealing with is not just concussions, but also migraines. The more concussions I get, the easier it is to set off these migraines. I get hit and I lose big chunks of my vision, like if someone took a picture of me. It’s called migraine aura when you lose these chunks of your vision, caused by cortical spreading depression. We were actually able to find a medication that helps me preventatively before sparring. It’s been absolutely life-changing.”

    Rousey also confirmed that the Carano fight marks the end of her competitive career, directly tied to commitments she has made to her husband and plans for her family.

    “It depends on how this fight goes. This fight could end up being some crazy trilogy. But I promised my husband that this is the last one and we want to have more kids. I can’t be taking any more detours at this point.”

    She also described Carano as the fight she has always wanted above any other.

    “Gina is my dream fight. She’s the only person I would come back to fight for and she’s the whole reason why I got into fighting in the first place.”

    Rousey holds a 12-2 MMA record and is returning for the first time since her loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. The bout headlines the first live MMA event in Netflix history, co-promoted with Most Valuable Promotions on Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

  • Ronda Rousey Says UFC Killed Star Power for the Brand

    Ronda Rousey Says UFC Killed Star Power for the Brand

    Ronda Rousey has delivered one of her sharpest critiques of the UFC’s current direction, arguing that the promotion under TKO has made a strategic miscalculation by trying to make the brand the star rather than the fighters inside it.

    Speaking with Complex News ahead of her May 16 return on Netflix, Rousey laid out what she sees as the root cause of the UFC’s current position.

    “They don’t want that star power anymore. They want the brand to be the star. And that’s why they stopped naming the fight cards and started giving them numbers. That’s why they started putting everybody in a uniform and trying to stamp out their individuality. They want people to watch the brand. And that’s why when you have big stars like Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou knowing their worth and demanding more, they’re telling them to go kick rocks instead of paying them what they’re worth because they think they’re too big to fail.”

    She cited the most-watched combat sports event in history as the most compelling counter-argument to the UFC’s approach.

    “They don’t tune in to watch a belt. They don’t tune in to watch a brand. They tune in to watch two fighters. And that’s what Tyson versus Paul proved. This is the most viewed combat sports event of all time. 108 million live views. And it’s not for a belt. It’s not for two people at the very top of the sport. It’s for two characters that resonate with people. They want to see the conclusion of the story that they have been telling. That’s something that the UFC has lost sight of and something that I’m looking to bring back.”

    Rousey also drew a clear distinction between her loyalty to the people who built the UFC and the organization those people have since sold.

    “I absolutely love Dana and the Fertittas, but my loyalty is to them, not to the company that they sold, and also a company that I helped build. It’s outside of his control now and it’s outside of my control now. It’s not that company anymore, but I can affect the entire industry in this way.”

    She also argued that fighters now have more leverage than many realize at the end of their UFC contracts.

    “UFC puts people in very long contracts. They’ll put you in a set-and-fight contract that’s for seven years or something. Jon Jones is kind of trapped. A lot of people are trapped in that contract. But I think what we’ve done here is we’ve made people realize that there is another option and you can fight out your contract all the way to the end and actually have leverage to negotiate for more.”

  • Ronda Rousey Accuses Hunter Campbell of Sabotaging Gina Carano Fight

    Ronda Rousey Accuses Hunter Campbell of Sabotaging Gina Carano Fight

    Ronda Rousey has made serious accusations against UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, claiming he worked to undermine her return fight against Gina Carano from inside the company she helped build.

    Speaking with Complex News ahead of the May 16 Netflix event, Rousey described what she says was a deliberate effort by Campbell to derail the matchup.

    “They gave me a great deal for their last ever pay-per-view fight card, but it was them switching over to the streaming model and Hunter Campbell being the new leadership in the company. He actively tried to sabotage this fight. And tried to misrepresent Gina, saying that she wasn’t serious, that she wasn’t going to make the weight. He was trying to get me to fight other people. He was basically just shitting on us and the marketability of our fight.”

    She also described what she says was Campbell’s attitude toward the women’s featherweight division, framing his comments as the final confirmation that the UFC’s priorities had fundamentally changed.

    “The way that he spoke of the 145 pound division. Dana first pitched me to do this as the last title match for 145 division to retire it. And then Hunter was like, ‘Yeah, then we could finally get rid of that division.’ The disdain that he spoke of it. I’m like, f**k, you’re the promoter, okay? If it’s not doing well, it’s your fault. I just had two daughters. My husband’s 6’7″, okay? They’re not going to be 135 pounds. This is my daughter’s future, that division. He’s sh*t all over it.”

    Rousey said her mother, who works for an athletic commission, provided the most damning insight into Campbell’s attitude toward fighters.

    “My mom works for an athletic commission. I brought up to her, ‘Do you know this Hunter Campbell guy?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, he’s a f***ing shithead. He would sell tickets to Christians being fed to lions.’ She was talking to him about getting slap legalized in California and he was saying, ‘Oh, this is a big opportunity for these guys. Otherwise, they would just be doing meth in a trailer park.’ This is what this guy thinks of the fighters. And this is the new leadership in the company.”

    Rousey faces Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix in what she has described as her final MMA fight.