(VIDEO) Netflix Enters MMA Arena With Historic Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Superfight Set for May

Netflix is diving into mixed martial arts with its first-ever live MMA event, headlined by a long-awaited dream matchup between pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The announcement, made Feb. 17, 2026, by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) — Jake Paul’s combat sports company — and Netflix marks a major expansion for the streaming giant beyond its previous boxing ventures, such as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout. The card will stream exclusively live on Netflix worldwide, with no pay-per-view required for subscribers.

Rousey (12-2, 9 submissions, 3 KOs), the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and Olympic judo medalist, returns after a nearly 10-year retirement from MMA. Her last professional fight was a loss to Amanda Nunes in December 2016. Carano (7-1, 1 submission, 3 KOs), often credited as one of the earliest stars of women’s MMA through her Strikeforce bouts, has not competed professionally since 2009 but has remained active in training and acting.

The bout will be contested at featherweight (145 pounds) over five five-minute rounds inside a hexagon cage. Both fighters, now 39 (Rousey) and 43 (Carano), are un-retiring specifically for this superfight, billed as the biggest in women’s combat sports history.

“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 statement. “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.”

Carano echoed the sentiment, noting Rousey approached her as the only opponent worth a comeback. The matchup, often discussed as a “what if” since the mid-2010s, arrives more than a decade after both were at their peaks.

The event is MVP’s inaugural MMA card, following its successes in boxing. Additional undercard fights will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale March 5 via Ticketmaster, with a pre-sale signup already available. A press conference is scheduled for March 5 at the Intuit Dome, hosted by combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani.

Netflix promoted the fight aggressively on social media Feb. 17 with a video declaring “Two MMA legends are coming to Netflix. RONDA ROUSEY vs. GINA CARANO Saturday May 16 LIVE only on Netflix #RouseyCarano.” Fan reactions exploded across platforms, with excitement over the historic clash mixed with skepticism about ring rust — Carano’s 17-year absence and Rousey’s decade-long hiatus — and debates on competitiveness.

Some fans called it a “wild ride” and “dream fight,” while others joked about it being “10 years too late” or questioned outcomes. The announcement also drew attention to Carano’s controversial exit from “The Mandalorian” in 2021, with headlines noting Netflix’s move as an effective “un-canceling” for the actress-fighter.

The Intuit Dome, home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, provides a modern venue for the event. Netflix’s live sports push continues to grow, capitalizing on massive viewership from prior combat events.

No undercard details or additional streaming requirements have been released beyond a standard Netflix subscription. The fight streams live May 16, with timing to be confirmed closer to the date.

This landmark card positions Netflix as a player in live MMA broadcasting, potentially setting the stage for more events if viewership proves strong.