Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will make her MMA comeback after nearly a decade, facing fellow pioneer Gina Carano in a blockbuster showdown on May 16th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Most Valuable Promotions event, streamed live on Netflix, marks Rousey's first professional fight since her 2016 retirement following a loss to Amanda Nunes. Carano, a Strikeforce trailblazer who retired in 2009, will end her 17-year hiatus for the dream matchup Rousey described as 'the biggest super fight in women's combat sport history.'

Rousey, 39, revolutionized women's MMA upon her 2013 UFC debut, becoming the inaugural bantamweight champion and setting records with six consecutive title defenses. Her 2015 loss to Holly Holm and subsequent knockout defeat to Nunes signaled her exit. Carano, 43, enhanced women's visibility in the sport during her 2006-2009 career, including a Strikeforce title loss to Cris Cyborg. Both athletes have since transitioned to acting, with Rousey starring in major films and Carano appearing in blockbusters like 'Fast & Furious 6.'

This fight transcends sport, representing a significant moment for MMA's history and fan engagement, with Rousey stating her return is solely for Carano. Most Valuable Promotions' co-founder Nakisa Bidarian emphasized the fight's potential to 'enthrall the masses' and deliver a 'global night of MMA.'