Ronda Rousey made a stunning return to mixed martial arts, stopping Gina Carano with her signature armbar just 17 seconds into the highly anticipated comeback bout. The 39-year-old Rousey ended a nine-and-a-half year absence by immediately charging Carano after the opening bell and applying her famous finishing move that secured the victory in record time.

Both fighters had lengthy layoffs - Carano hadn't competed in 17 years while Rousey had been away for nearly a decade. Despite the swift conclusion, both athletes displayed sportsmanship afterward. Rousey explained she didn't want to prolong the fight for her family's sake, while Carano expressed satisfaction with her performance after overcoming recent health issues during training.

The bout united two pivotal figures from women's MMA history. Rousey, who became the sport's first female UFC champion, credited Carano for inspiring her career. Carano's star power helped legitimize women's fighting when the sport was still gaining acceptance in the late 2000s. Rousey has stated this fight marks her retirement, while Carano remains uncertain about her future in the sport.