Ronda Rousey issues challenge to UFC ahead of Gina Carano clash on Netflix

Ronda Rousey has issued a friendly challenge to the UFC ahead of her hotly anticipated clash with fellow MMA legend Gina Carano.

Rousey and Carano will collide on Netflix on May 16. It will be a professional MMA bout promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The May 16 date puts the fight just one month ahead of the anticipated UFC White House card (June 14), which UFC brass hope will break MMA viewership records.

While there’s little doubt both Rousey vs. Carano and the UFC White House event will be hugely successful, Rousey believes her fight will ultimately reign supreme.

Ronda Rousey kicks off UFC ‘rivalry’ with viewership challenge

Speaking on social media soon after her fight with Carano was announced, Rousey opened up on the “rivalry” her fight will have with the UFC White House card.

She expressed confidence that her fight on Netflix will ultimately draw more viewership.

This rivalry has so many layers – @netflix isnt playing around – bet you we can beat @paramountplus’ @ufc numbers 😈👊🏼🔥https://t.co/0GyZ1M2d2B

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 18, 2026

“This rivalry has so many layers,” Rousey wrote. “Netflix isn’t playing around – bet you we can beat Paramount+’s UFC numbers.”

Ronda Rousey is the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion. She is the first female champion in UFC history and the most influential female MMA fighter ever. She is also a former champion in Strikeforce, and a medalist in Olympic judo. Rousey has not fought since 2015, when she was knocked out by Amanda Nunes. Prior to that, she was knocked out by Holly Holm. The loss to Holm was the first of her career and ended her title reign. She holds wins over MMA veterans like Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano.

Gina Carano has not fought in a staggering 17 years. Her last fight occurred under the Strikeforce banner in 2009, when she was knocked out by Cris Cyborg. It was her only pro loss in MMA.