Ronda Rousey has claimed her return bout against Gina Carano this weekend will set a new record for fighter pay in women’s combat sports ahead of their headline clash in Los Angeles.
The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion will come out of retirement on Saturday to face fellow MMA pioneer Carano at the Intuit Dome, marking Rousey’s first fight since her knockout loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016. The event also represents Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA card and will be streamed live on Netflix.
Rousey said the fight would represent a landmark moment for women’s MMA and combat sports more broadly. “The biggest money fight is the biggest fight period. And we honestly have very different definitions of greatness. Mine is making history, making a cultural impact and influencing the future of the sport,” said Rousey.
The 38-year-old also referenced her achievements in the UFC while discussing her return to competition. “I’ve already won a record eight consecutive title fights, there’s nothing left for me to do in UFC. So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have been paid in combat sports,” said Rousey, according to the source article. Carano, meanwhile, has not competed in MMA since suffering a first-round stoppage loss to Cris Cyborg in 2009 before transitioning into a Hollywood acting career.
Saturday’s card will also feature the return of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who faces ex-UFC and PFL fighter Philipe Lins. Ngannou has not fought in MMA since defeating Renan Ferreira in 2024 following boxing defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
The event will also include a welterweight bout between Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, while former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is scheduled to face Robelis Despaigne. Salahdine Parnasse is also set to meet Kenneth Cross in a lightweight contest on the main card.
