Netflix has made a big push in the combat sports world. First, it was Jake Paul and his megafight with Mike Tyson, then they got the rights to WWE Raw and now they are placing their bets on the world of MMA. That is the feeling surrounding Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano, a matchup fans have talked about for years that on Saturday, May 16 becomes a reality on Netflix before a worldwide audience.
When I asked Rousey about the idea that this could be the biggest MMA fight in history, she did not hesitate. “Yeah, it is,” she told me with assuredness in her voice. And honestly, the more you think about it, the harder it is to argue against. Two of the biggest stars the sport has ever produced are headlining a card that also includes names like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou, all streaming globally on the biggest platform in the world.
“It is not a gimmick. It is not nostalgia,” Rousey said, explaining that she believes this event can help push the sport into a new era. Carano shared a similar perspective, saying, “We never got to see some of those really great fights that we wanted to see. But we are getting to see Carano versus Rousey.”
Talking to both fighters, what stood out most was how much they have evolved since stepping away from MMA. Rousey described herself now as more of a real time problem solver inside the cage instead of someone relying solely on a set game plan. Carano, meanwhile, talked about becoming more creative and unpredictable as a fighter, saying she enjoys surprising even her own coaches during training camp.
On paper it may look like striker versus grappler, Muay Thai versus Judo, but both women made it clear they are preparing for far more than that. Carano pointed out that fights rarely play out the way people expect, especially when two experienced competitors are willing to adapt on the fly.
There is also a genuine respect between them that gives this fight a different energy than most you might see during the promotion. Carano even described fighting as “intimate,” explaining that sharing the cage with someone you respect often brings out the very best in both competitors. That mutual respect may actually make this fight even more intense once the cage door closes.
For Rousey, there is also a sense that this could be the final chapter of her fighting career. She spoke openly about the possibility of walking away after this fight, calling it the perfect way to ride off into the sunset. Still, she also hinted at wanting to work creatively with Carano in the future, showing that their connection goes beyond competition.
Whether this truly becomes the biggest fight in MMA history remains to be seen, but one thing feels undeniable. When Rousey and Carano finally step into that cage on Netflix, the entire combat sports world will be watching.
