History was made on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as two of the most influential figures in women’s mixed martial arts—Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano—stepped into the cage for a long-awaited showdown. The event, dubbed MVP MMA 1, marked Netflix’s first foray into live MMA broadcasting, and the anticipation was palpable both in the arena and across the globe as fans tuned in for what was billed as a dream fight.
Rousey, a UFC Hall of Famer and former bantamweight champion, had not fought in MMA since December 2016. Meanwhile, Carano, a trailblazer in the sport’s early days, was making her first appearance since 2009. The magnitude of their returns can’t be overstated—these women helped lay the foundation for the sport’s explosive growth and mainstream acceptance. It was only fitting that their bout would headline such a historic card.
As the main event began, the energy in the Intuit Dome was electric. Rousey entered as the heavy favorite, with sportsbooks pegging her at -625 and Carano at +455. Still, the unpredictability of MMA meant anything could happen. But Rousey wasted no time in reminding the world why she was once considered the most dominant woman in the sport. In a stunning display of her trademark aggression and grappling prowess, Rousey closed the distance, clinched, and secured an armbar just 17 seconds into the opening round. Carano, valiant as ever, was forced to tap, sealing Rousey’s first victory since 2015 and marking one of the quickest finishes of her career.
According to theScore’s Nick Baldwin, “UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey made quick work of Gina Carano in the MVP MMA 1 main event, submitting Carano with an armbar in 17 seconds.” The result was met with a thunderous ovation, and Rousey announced after the fight that she would be returning to retirement, capping her legendary career with a decisive win. Carano, who helped pioneer women’s MMA in the late 2000s, showed immense courage in stepping back into the cage after nearly 17 years away, and her legacy as a foundational figure in the sport remains untarnished.
The significance of this bout extended far beyond the result. Rousey, the inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight champion, famously defended her title six times between 2013 and 2015, introducing a new era of athleticism and star power to the sport. Her high-profile losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes may have ended her UFC run, but her induction into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018 cemented her status as an all-time great. Carano, for her part, was the face of women’s MMA in the late 2000s, competing in EliteXC’s first televised women’s bout and headlining the inaugural Strikeforce women’s featherweight title fight in 2009. That fight, a loss to Cris Cyborg, was her last until this remarkable comeback.
But Rousey vs. Carano was just the tip of the iceberg on a night filled with highlight-reel finishes and dramatic moments. The co-main event featured a brutal clash between UFC veterans Nate Diaz and Mike Perry. Diaz, known for his indomitable spirit and elite boxing, found himself on the wrong end of Perry’s power. After two rounds of heavy exchanges, the ringside doctor and referee Mike Beltran called a halt to the bout due to Diaz’s relentless bleeding, awarding Perry a TKO victory. This marked Perry’s first MMA win since 2020 and Diaz’s first defeat since June 2021. The stoppage, though controversial with some fans, underscored the unforgiving nature of the sport.
Earlier in the evening, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made a thunderous return to the cage against former PFL champ Philipe Lins. Ngannou, renowned for his knockout power, delivered exactly what fans expected, dispatching Lins with a devastating punch at 4:31 of the first round. This was Ngannou’s 14th career knockout and improved his professional record to 19-3. After the fight, Ngannou wasted no time in calling out Jon Jones, who was in attendance, teasing a potential megafight that would surely set the MMA world abuzz.
The main card also showcased the talents of Salahdine Parnasse, a French standout making his North American debut. Parnasse overwhelmed Kenny Cross with relentless ground-and-pound and capped the bout with a brutal body shot, earning a TKO at 4:18 of the opening round. The victory extended Parnasse’s win streak to six, all by knockout, and improved his record to 23-2. As Netflix Sports noted, “Salahdine Parnasse is a problem,” and his performance left fans eager to see what’s next for the rising star.
Robelis Despaigne kicked off the main card in spectacular fashion, delivering a vicious knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at 2:59 of round one. Despaigne, a Cuban powerhouse, landed a three-punch combination that sent Dos Santos crashing to the canvas, notching his sixth career knockout and first MMA win since March 2024. For Dos Santos, it was a tough sixth straight loss, but his legacy as a former champion remains secure.
The action-packed evening didn’t stop with the main card. The prelims featured a mix of submissions, knockouts, and hard-fought decisions. Namo Fazil submitted Jake Babian with a D’Arce choke in round two, while Adriano Moraes scored a technical submission over Phumi Nkuta via rear-naked choke late in round three. Jason Jackson wasted no time, knocking out Jeff Creighton just 22 seconds into their bout. David Mgoyan edged Albert Morales by unanimous decision, and Aline Pereira narrowly defeated Jade Masson-Wong via split decision. Brandon Jenkins and Chris Avila battled to a split decision, with Jenkins getting the nod on two of the three judges’ scorecards.
The event drew a star-studded crowd, with former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch spotted snapping photos of Rousey as she prepared for her historic bout. Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was also in attendance, underscoring the significance of the evening for the MMA community.
Beyond the results, MVP MMA 1 represented a watershed moment for the sport. Netflix’s first-ever MMA broadcast drew massive attention and delivered on its promise of high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments. The triple main event format, featuring legends and rising stars alike, provided fans with a night to remember. As the dust settles, Rousey’s triumphant return and immediate retirement, Perry’s brutal stoppage of Diaz, and Ngannou’s knockout statement have set the stage for an exciting new chapter in MMA’s evolution.
With MVP MMA 1 in the books, the world of mixed martial arts finds itself energized and full of possibilities. Whether it’s Rousey’s final act, Carano’s inspiring comeback, or the emergence of new contenders, the sport’s future looks as thrilling as its storied past.