Sarah Martinez remembers exactly where she was when Ronda Rousey’s armbar made Amanda Nunes tap out in 2015. She was crammed into a sports bar in Chicago, surrounded by screaming fans who had never watched MMA before but couldn’t look away from the woman who was changing everything. “She made it look so easy,” Sarah recalls. “My friends who usually rolled their eyes at fighting were suddenly asking when her next match was.”
That’s the power Rousey wielded during her reign as the most dominant force in women’s mixed martial arts. She didn’t just win fights – she created believers out of skeptics and turned casual viewers into lifelong fans.
Now, after nearly a decade away from the octagon, the Ronda Rousey fighting return is officially happening, and it’s coming to Netflix in a way nobody saw coming.
The Queen Returns to Her Throne
Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix just dropped a bombshell that has the entire combat sports world buzzing. Rousey is stepping back into professional MMA competition for Netflix’s inaugural live mixed martial arts broadcast, and she’s bringing some serious star power with her.
The opponent? Gina Carano, another pioneer of women’s MMA who helped pave the way before Rousey took the sport mainstream. This isn’t just a comeback fight – it’s a collision between two legends who defined an entire era of combat sports.
“When I first heard about this matchup, I got chills,” says longtime MMA analyst Marcus Thompson. “These are the two women who proved female fighters could be box office gold. Seeing them face off after all these years feels like watching history repeat itself.”
The bout will follow all professional standards under the Unified Rules of MMA. We’re talking about a legitimate five-round contest in a hexagon cage, with both fighters wearing 4-ounce gloves at the featherweight limit of 145 pounds.
Everything You Need to Know About This Historic Fight
Mark your calendars because Saturday, May 16 is about to become one of the biggest nights in streaming sports history. The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles will host this spectacular showdown, and every Netflix subscriber worldwide gets front-row seats at no extra charge.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, May 16 |
| Venue | Intuit Dome, Los Angeles |
| Weight Class | Featherweight (145 lbs) |
| Rounds | 5 rounds, 5 minutes each |
| Streaming | Netflix (included with subscription) |
| Global Access | Available worldwide |
Here’s what makes this fight card so special:
- First-ever live MMA event on Netflix’s platform
- Professional sanctioning under official MMA rules
- No pay-per-view fees for Netflix subscribers
- Global simultaneous streaming availability
- Additional fights to be announced soon
Rousey brings an incredible 12-2 professional record into this contest, with nine submission victories and three knockouts. Her armbar became as feared as any finishing move in combat sports history. After capturing the UFC’s first-ever Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2012, she went on to become the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
“Ronda changed everything about how we view women in combat sports,” notes veteran sports journalist Linda Chen. “She proved that female athletes could headline major events and draw massive audiences. This Netflix fight feels like her victory lap.”
What This Means for Combat Sports and Streaming
Netflix’s entry into live MMA broadcasting represents a seismic shift in how we consume combat sports. Following the massive success of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event, the streaming giant is doubling down on live fighting content.
For longtime MMA fans, this means easier access to high-profile fights without the traditional pay-per-view barriers. Casual viewers who might never have purchased a $70 PPV can now watch world-class competition with their existing Netflix subscription.
The ripple effects could reshape the entire industry. Other streaming platforms are likely watching this experiment closely, and traditional broadcasters might need to rethink their pricing models to stay competitive.
“This could be the beginning of the end for expensive pay-per-view events,” predicts industry insider Robert Kim. “When Netflix can offer this level of entertainment as part of a monthly subscription, it changes everything.”
Both fighters also stand to benefit enormously from Netflix’s global reach. While traditional MMA broadcasts might reach millions, Netflix’s 260+ million subscribers worldwide represents an unprecedented audience for combat sports.
For Rousey specifically, this return allows her to control her narrative after stepping away from competition in 2016. Her last fight ended in defeat, but this Netflix showcase gives her a chance to remind everyone why she was once the most feared woman in sports.
The timing feels perfect too. Women’s MMA has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with stars like Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko carrying the torch Rousey lit. Her return brings everything full circle.
Carano, meanwhile, gets her own redemption story. After transitioning from fighting to acting, she’s been away from competition even longer than Rousey. This fight represents her chance to show she can still compete at the highest level.
The Intuit Dome setting adds another layer of excitement. The state-of-the-art venue, which serves as home to the LA Clippers, will provide a perfect backdrop for this historic moment in streaming sports.
Netflix has promised additional fight announcements for the card, suggesting this won’t be a one-fight show. The platform seems committed to making this a truly special event that showcases the future of combat sports broadcasting.
FAQs
When is Ronda Rousey fighting on Netflix?
The fight is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, streaming live globally on Netflix.
Who is Ronda Rousey fighting in her return?
She’s facing Gina Carano in a featherweight bout at 145 pounds under official MMA rules.
Do I need to pay extra to watch the fight on Netflix?
No, the fight is included with your regular Netflix subscription at no additional cost.
How long has Ronda Rousey been away from MMA?
Her last professional MMA fight was in December 2016, making this nearly a decade-long absence from the sport.
Will there be other fights on the card?
Yes, Netflix plans to announce additional fights for the event at a later date.
Is this a real professional MMA fight?
Absolutely – it’s professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA with five 5-minute rounds in a regulation hexagon cage.
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