As Ronda Rousey prepares to step back into the fight game, she’s put a friendly wager on the line with her old employer, the UFC.
In an announcement that caught many off guard, it was revealed on Tuesday that Rousey will be making her combat sports return after a decade away, set to face off against long-time rival Gina Carano.
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The bout will be broadcast live on Netflix. The event is being promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
Interestingly, despite both fighters’ strong ties to MMA, this match won’t take place under the UFC banner. According to Rousey herself, though, it wasn’t for lack of effort on her part.
Rousey backs her Netflix bout with Carano to outdraw UFC on Paramount
Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
Speaking to the media, Rousey said she tried to get Dana White involved in setting up a fight with Carano, but things didn’t come together.
There had been times in the past when White seemed open to the idea of a Rousey return, but that’s no longer the case.
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And with the fight set for Netflix, even though both fighters are well beyond their primes, Rousey has thrown out a playful bet directed at her former employer.
The UFC kicked off 2025 by launching its new era with Paramount after signing a massive $7.7 billion deal last year.
The first event under that banner was UFC 324, which pulled in an impressive audience of over seven million households and set a new record for viewership. The question now is whether Rousey’s return can top those numbers — something she clearly believes is within reach.
Rousey vs Carano could kick off a huge future for MMA on Netflix
It remains to be seen whether MVP is just testing the waters with this event or gearing up for something much bigger in MMA.
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With more than 300 million subscribers globally, Netflix offers a massive platform that could easily draw in fans and change the way the sport is viewed.
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