Netflix has recently revealed plans for its inaugural live mixed martial arts event, backed by Jake Paul’s MVP promotion, featuring two iconic female fighters who are far from novices in the intense world of combat sports. Ronda Rousey is set to stage a remarkable comeback on May 16, 2026, taking on women’s MMA trailblazer Gina Carano in a unique hexagonal cage enclosure. This highly anticipated featherweight showdown will adhere to a strict 145-pound weight limit. Although both competitors boast impressive legacies in the sport, they have never crossed paths in the ring, and each has been sidelined from active competition for an extended period. As enthusiasts and analysts debate the matchup’s legitimacy, we delve into a comprehensive breakdown of their physical attributes, records, and backgrounds.
Age Breakdown: Comparing Rousey and Carano’s Years
Hailing from Riverside, California, Ronda Rousey holds the advantage in youth as the younger competitor at 39 years old. In contrast, Gina Carano, born in Dallas, Texas, is currently 43 years of age. This four-year gap could play a subtle role in their stamina and recovery capabilities during the intense five-round battle ahead.
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano: Height, Weight, and Build Analysis
When it comes to physical stature, Gina Carano possesses a noticeable edge in height, measuring 5 feet 8 inches compared to Rousey’s 5 feet 6 inches. Historically, Carano has carried more mass on her frame, frequently competing in the vicinity of the 145-pound featherweight bracket. Rousey, on the other hand, built her dominance in the bantamweight category, where fighters are capped at 135 pounds. These differences in natural size and division preferences highlight how each athlete has adapted to their respective weight classes over the years.
Time Away from MMA Competition: A Long Hiatus for Both
Known as “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, she remained active in professional wrestling circuits up until 2025, but her most recent MMA appearance dates back to December 30, 2016. That night at UFC 207, she suffered a first-round TKO defeat against Amanda Nunes, marking the end of her MMA tenure for nearly a decade.
Gina Carano, meanwhile, has occasionally been spotted sharpening her skills at facilities like Syndicate MMA, fueling speculation about a potential return. Despite these training glimpses, her final professional MMA fight took place on August 15, 2009, ending in a first-round TKO loss to Cris Cyborg. Consequently, Rousey has been out of MMA for over nine years, while Carano’s absence stretches beyond 16 years, raising questions about ring rust and current conditioning levels.
Win Records Face-Off: Rousey’s Edge in Volume and Victories
In terms of sheer numbers, Ronda Rousey surpasses Gina Carano with a professional record of 12 wins against 2 losses. Carano’s ledger stands at 7 wins and 1 loss. Notably, both fighters share the unfortunate distinction of dropping their last respective bouts in the opening round, which adds an intriguing layer of parity to this narrative.
Contrasting Fighting Styles: Rousey’s Grappling vs. Carano’s Striking Power
Gina Carano emerged as the pioneering figurehead of women’s MMA prior to Ronda Rousey’s rise under the UFC banner. The resilient fighter from Texas captivated audiences with her exceptional stand-up game, leveraging expert Muay Thai techniques and boxing precision to overwhelm adversaries. Out of her victories, she secured just one by submission, with the majority coming via knockout, technical knockout, or judges’ decisions on points.
Rousey’s approach contrasts sharply, rooted in her background as a former UFC champion and Olympic bronze medalist in Judo. She notched nine submission triumphs in her MMA career, supplemented by knockouts and TKOs, but remarkably, she never once let a fight go the full distance. This aggressive, finish-oriented style could clash dynamically with Carano’s more measured, striking-focused rhythm, potentially leading to explosive exchanges.
Of course, these historical statistics only paint part of the picture, as the fighters’ physical prowess in 2026 remains unproven after such long layoffs. Prior to stepping into the cage in Inglewood, California, both athletes will undergo rigorous medical evaluations, including advanced neurological assessments. Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, has emphasized that these protocols will encompass comprehensive concussion testing, exceeding standard requirements for combat sports participants.
Regardless of whether one views Netflix’s debut MMA venture as a high-profile exhibition or a legitimate test of enduring athleticism against age-related doubts, anticipation is building for May 16. Sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA, the contest will span five five-minute rounds with 4-ounce gloves, promising a thrilling spectacle for viewers worldwide.
