Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano predictions: Who experts are backing for Saturday’s fight

Most Valuable Promotions has a star-heavy main card lineup planned for its first mixed martial arts event to be streamed on Netflix.

An 11-card bout is headlined by a couple of MMA legends who helped elevate the sport for women: Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey. The fight is on Saturday, May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

It’s been a while since Rousey and Carano participated in a bout. Rousey, 39, hasn’t fought since 2016. Carano, 44, hasn’t stepped in the ring in 17 years. But their fight isn’t about a triumphant return. Instead, it’s a showcase of pioneers and legacies they have created.

“Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for, and it’s been her dream to make this fight happen between us,” Carano said to Netflix. “She thanked me for opening up doors for her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honor. … This is as much for Ronda and I as it is for the fans and mixed martial arts community.”

Rousey said it’s going to be the “biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history.”

“Been waiting so long to announce this,” she said. “This is for all MMA fans past, present, and future.”

Both fighters are older and haven’t fought in at least a decade. Nevertheless there should be moments of nostalgia in their fight. When it’s all said and done, there can only be one winner. Here’s which fighter experts and oddsmakers predict will win the bout.

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Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight

Ronda Rousey spoke candidly at a pre‑fight press conference, blasting the UFC while showing admiration and rivalry for her competitor, Gina Carano, ahead of their May showdown that will be livestreamed on Netflix.

Keep scrolling to see Rousey and Carano face off during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

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Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano kick off buildup to historic fight

Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) face off in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Ronda Rousey speaks during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

Gina Carano waves during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

(L-R) Nakisa Bidarian, Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Philipe Lins, and Jake Paul pose onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Ronda Rousey greets Francis Ngannou during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rhonda Rousey will face off against Gina Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

Ronda Rousey (L) and Gina Carano (R) pose in front of Jake Paul (C) during the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix 5X5 Professional MMA bound pre-fight press conference outside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on March 10, 2026. Rousey will face off against Carano on May 16, 2026. Both fighters will be returning after lengthy retirements.

Francis Ngannou, Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, and Philipe Lin speak onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Gina Carano attends Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Ronda Rousey attends Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Gina Carano speaks onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Ronda Rousey, Ariel Helwani, and Gina Carano speak onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Ronda Rousey speaks onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

(L-R) Ronda Rousey, Jake Paul, and Gina Carano pose onstage during Netflix’s Ronda Rousey x Gina Carano Los Angeles MMA Press Conference at Intuit Dome on March 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

How to watch Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano

Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)
Start time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT (Preliminary card); 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (Main card)
How to watch: YouTube (Preliminary card); Netflix (Main card, subscription required)