UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland needs Ronda Rousey's blessing before receiving tickets to Saturday's bout against Gina Carano, according to the former Olympic judoka. Rousey, 39, expressed satisfaction that Strickland must seek her approval first, adding an unusual wrinkle to the highly anticipated matchup.

Carano, 44, helped pioneer women's mixed martial arts before retiring in 2009 to pursue acting. Her return to the cage after fifteen years represents a significant moment for the sport's pioneers. The former EliteXC standout helped establish the foundation for women in MMA, making this comeback particularly meaningful.

Saturday's event marks MVP's inaugural venture into MMA, with global distribution on Netflix. The undercard features former UFC stars Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. Strickland also claimed that even the "softest" man could defeat former two-weight champion Amanda Nunes, who retired in 2023.

Nunes, expected to return to UFC competition this year, responded via social media: "We do everything he said, and to top it all off, lol, we're fighters too. Don't cry." The exchange adds fuel to potential future matchups in the women's division.