Get ready for a monumental night in combat sports as two of the most iconic figures in women's MMA history finally step back into the cage. This Saturday, May 16, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano headline the inaugural MVP MMA fight card, marking their long-awaited return to mixed martial arts after years away from the sport.
The stakes are sky-high, and the card is stacked from top to bottom. Alongside this historic main event, the Jake Paul-promoted event features a gritty clash between former UFC fan favorites Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. Heavyweight power meets precision when former UFC champion Francis Ngannou takes on Philipe Lins, and another ex-heavyweight kingpin, Junior dos Santos, squares off against the towering Robelis Despaigne. With 11 bouts total, this is a card built for fight fans.
For Rousey, this fight represents a chance to rewrite the final chapter of her storied career. The last time she competed in MMA, she suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in 2015 and 2016—a stunning fall for a fighter who once seemed untouchable. Before those setbacks, Rousey was the most dominant force in women's MMA, opening her career with six straight armbar submission wins. She captured and defended the Strikeforce women's bantamweight title before the UFC absorbed the organization, then became the UFC's first women's champion in 2012.
Her reign was nothing short of legendary. She submitted Liz Carmouche in her first title defense at UFC 157, then ran through a murderer's row of challengers: Miesha Tate, Sara McMann, Alexis Davis, Cat Zingano, and Bethe Correia. In 2018, she became the first female inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame. After her MMA career, Rousey transitioned to WWE, where she captured the Raw Women's Championship—proving her star power transcends any single sport.
Now, she and Carano—who last fought in 2009—will settle a long-debated rivalry. The main card streams live on Netflix, while the prelims air on Tudum and the MVP MMA YouTube page. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the sport, this is a night you won't want to miss. Suit up in your favorite fight gear and get ready for history.