The MMA world got a bombshell announcement Tuesday when it was revealed that women's combat sports legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will share the cage this spring – but not in the UFC.
Netflix, in conjunction with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, will put on a long-discussed showdown between UFC Hall of Famer Rousey (12-2) and Carano (7-1) on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
It was a stunning announcement, and many in the MMA world were taken aback at the idea of seeing Rousey compete for the first time since December 2016 and Carano for the first time since August 2009.
Check out those reactions below.
Two MMA legends are coming to Netflix.
— Netflix (@netflix) February 17, 2026
RONDA ROUSEY vs. GINA CARANO
Saturday May 16
LIVE only on Netflix#RouseyCaranopic.twitter.com/zqdSC7l4in
A LEGACY SHOWDOWN 🔥 #RouseyCarano
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) February 17, 2026
RONDA ROUSEY vs. GINA CARANO
Saturday May 16
LIVE only on Netflix pic.twitter.com/cybtQHNyPT
Surreal moment. I started taking judo because of Ronda Rousey. Now I get to work with her and Gina Carano to bring MMA to Netflix. Here we go…@MostVpromotionspic.twitter.com/zphmZM47kO
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 17, 2026
Gina is my dream fight 🥺 https://t.co/OuSd53FYU7
— Yana Santos (@YanaKunitskaya1) February 17, 2026
Let’s go @ginacarano ❤️🙏🏽 https://t.co/pHyPuPe6EW
— CrisCy₿org.Com (@criscyborg) February 17, 2026
Been waiting so long to announce this: Me and @ginacarano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 17, 2026
And we’re partnering with the fighter-first promotion @MostVpromotions as well as the baddest streamer on the planet @netflix! This is for… pic.twitter.com/vR9IxchOO2
There's a world where Rousey ties Carano up, throws her and scores a quick armbar. But this is also a person with an extensive history of concussions, which pushed her to retirement. I've pretty much lost all faith in athletic commissions, so my guess is it'll be approved. https://t.co/J2lLySPFCPpic.twitter.com/CwI1UWjhx6
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) February 17, 2026
Ronda Rousey is returning to MMA, 10 years after retiring and not to the UFC.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 17, 2026
One of the most shocking combat sports announcements in a long time. pic.twitter.com/dFMj0VZJGh
The First-Ever MMA event Live Globally on Netflix.
— Intuit Dome (@IntuitDome) February 17, 2026
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
Saturday, May 16. Intuit Dome.
Presented by Most Valuable Promotions
Press Conference: Thursday, March 5 at Intuit Dome.🎤
Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 5. Sign up for Pre-sale NOW🎟️:… pic.twitter.com/t3OsOdGCap
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 'Surreal': MMA community reacts to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano