The superfight that MMA fans have dreamed of for years is finally happening! Get ready, because Ronda Rousey is reportedly set to come out of retirement to face Gina Carano in a highly anticipated bout.
For those who've followed the sport for a while, the idea of Rousey and Carano stepping into the octagon together has been a persistent 'what if.' Carano, who retired from professional fighting a few years before Rousey even made her pro debut, was a trailblazer in women's MMA. The UFC itself attempted to book this massive clash when Rousey was at the absolute peak of her career, but negotiations unfortunately fell through.
Now, it seems Rousey, who has a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, has initiated this comeback. Carano, now 43 years old, boasts a record of 7 wins and 1 loss, with her sole defeat coming against the formidable Cris Cyborg back in 2009.
Carano, who has since transitioned into an acting career, shared that it was Rousey who reached out, expressing that there was only one person she would consider returning for. "Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for and it has been her dream to make this fight happen between us," Carano revealed. She added that Rousey was incredibly respectful, thanking her for paving the way in women's MMA. "This is an honour. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome. This is as much for Ronda and me as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community. What a time to be alive."
But here's where it gets interesting and potentially controversial... Carano recently settled a lawsuit with Disney after her dismissal from 'The Mandalorian' in 2021. This stemmed from comments she made that drew parallels between being a Republican in the US and being Jewish during the Holocaust, a comparison that sparked significant debate.
This event will mark the first foray into MMA for Jake Paul's promotional outfit, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). In a joint statement, Paul and Nakisa Bidarian declared, "Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano are the two most formative figures in the history of women's MMA; they are the icons who shattered the glass ceiling and helped build the foundation this sport stands on." They further elaborated on MVP's commitment to women's boxing, citing Rousey's immense success as a driving force.
And this is the part most people miss... While the idea of this fight is electrifying, it's undeniable that this bout is past its prime in terms of competitive timing. Both fighters have been away from professional competition for a considerable amount of time. It's difficult to predict the exact quality of the contest given this extended layoff. However, it's crucial to remember that fighters like Carano were instrumental in laying the groundwork for Rousey's meteoric rise. Rousey herself remains an absolute superstar, even years after retiring from MMA in 2016. Her impact on the sport was so immense that only a select few, like Jon Jones or Conor McGregor, could ever rival her star power during her UFC reign. Her continued massive profile is evident in her WWE appearances and the buzz surrounding her 2024 autobiography.
Netflix's strategy with combat sports events is clear: leverage the fame of top athletes for massive, one-off spectacles, a model exemplified by Jake Paul's fights against Mike Tyson, Terence Crawford, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury. While there will undoubtedly be concerns about Rousey's health, particularly given her documented concussion issues mentioned in her autobiography, this isn't quite the same scenario as Paul vs. Tyson or Paul vs. Joshua. There isn't a significant age disparity or a stark difference in perceived skill level. Both athletes will be subject to rigorous pre-fight medical examinations.
With the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight drawing an impressive six million viewers on Netflix, that viewership number will likely serve as a benchmark for Rousey vs. Carano. This fight will undoubtedly be marketed as the 'fantasy matchup' finally coming to fruition.
Considering the circumstances, a definitive knockout from either fighter might be less probable. The expectation should be that this is a special event, a true collision of two legends for one night only.
So, what do you think? Is this the ultimate dream match, or a fight that's simply too late to deliver the competitive fireworks we once imagined? Let us know in the comments below!
