UFC legend Ronda Rousey is making a dramatic return to mixed martial arts a decade after retiring, announcing a showdown with fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano on May 16.

The 39-year-old Rousey, widely regarded as the biggest female MMA star of all time, became the first woman to sign with the UFC and capture a championship belt.

Her return fight, set at 145 pounds, will go the distance over five 5-minute rounds inside a hexagon cage, professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA, and streamed live on Netflix.

Rousey’s MMA career was marked by dominance, including a five-year unbeaten streak. However, she suffered a shocking loss to Holly Holm, losing her UFC bantamweight title, and later fell to Amanda Nunes in her comeback bout.

In 2025, Rousey revealed that severe concussion issues played a major role in her decision to retire from MMA.

The upcoming fight will headline the first professional MMA event promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, setting the stage for a high-profile clash between two female MMA pioneers.

Both fighters will compete at 145 pounds, using standard 4-ounce gloves, in what is being billed as a historic and long-awaited matchup for the sport.

With Rousey, a decade removed from active competition, fans are both excited and analytical about how the returning legend will fare against Carano, a trailblazer in women’s MMA and a former Strikeforce star.

The bout promises to be a landmark moment in combat sports, bridging the past and present of female MMA.