Ronda Rousey’s Cinematic Return to MMA
The Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California was transformed into a spectacle with an atmosphere that felt more cinematic than any recent NBA All-Star Weekend. This transformation was orchestrated by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which turned the arena into a Netflix event brimming with celebrities, influencers, former fighters, and dedicated fans of MMA legends like Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Nate Diaz, and Francis Ngannou.
Ronda Rousey and her husband, Travis Browne, shared an embrace after Rousey swiftly defeated Gina Carano in a featherweight bout. This dramatic event, occurring on May 16, 2026, concluded swiftly with Rousey needing only 17 seconds to terminate Carano’s attempted comeback.
Promotional chaos filled the venue long before the main event. Cuban heavyweight Robelis Despaigne delivered a stunning first-round knockout against former UFC champion Junior dos Santos. The crowd was electrified by Francis Ngannou’s knockout of Philipe Lins, delivered with a terrifying counter left hand. Not stopping there, Ngannou eagerly called out Jon Jones at cageside afterward.
The collision between Mike Perry and Nate Diaz turned into a bloody spectacle, as anticipated by the audience. By the end of the second round, Diaz’s face was severely cut, and Perry seized the moment to demand a fight with Jake Paul, leaving fans standing on chairs to capture the chaos.
Riding the wave of nostalgia revolving around Rousey’s return, the night climaxed with the main event. As the arena was plunged into darkness, and Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” echoed, Intuit Dome erupted in anticipation.
Facing Ronda Rousey was Gina Carano, considered the original face of mainstream women’s MMA. The fight between these two icons became a reality, felt almost surreal, and concluded abruptly. Rousey charged forward at the fight’s commencement, securing a clinch, executing a precise judo takedown, and transitioning into her signature armbar. It took a mere 17 seconds for Carano to succumb.
As the crowd absorbed the swift triumph, there was a momentary sense of disbelief regarding the speed of Rousey’s victory. At cageside, media members and spectators like LA mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt shared a look of astonishment while Rousey stood victorious. This event felt reminiscent of earlier years when Rousey was an unstoppable force in the UFC, elevating women’s MMA to new heights.
Post-fight, Carano expressed admiration and respect for Rousey, acknowledging the changes she underwent heading into the bout. She lost a significant amount of weight and reignited her love for mixed martial arts, despite her defeat.
Following her victory, Rousey dismissed speculation of a permanent comeback, content with her one-time return to the ring. She expressed a desire to focus on family life, and expanding her family, rather than continuing in MMA.
If this marks the end of Ronda Rousey’s fighting career, it concludes in a fitting manner, celebrated by fans and respected by opponents. Rousey’s impactful return over a short duration leaves a memorable legacy.