Gina Carano, 44, made a dramatic physical transformation to compete against Ronda Rousey in the main event of the Rousey vs. Carano event on May 16, 2026. Carano, who had been out of MMA competition since 2009, successfully made the featherweight limit at 141.4 pounds after a grueling 18-month effort, during which she lost 100 pounds. The fight, the first time the two women have faced off in nearly a decade, was made possible after Rousey turned down other UFC offers, allowing Carano more time to prepare, according to MMA Mania.

Pre-Diabetic and Struggling to Walk

In a vulnerable social media post following the weigh-in, Carano shared the challenges she faced. She explained that in September 2024, she was pre-diabetic and had trouble simply walking. “It was hard, SO damn hard,” she wrote. “There was so much to learn, too much to unpack here—ups, downs, plateaus, things I learned late I wish I learned earlier, trial by error but I did it.” Carano credited Rousey for being patient while she worked to regain her athleticism, as well as her husband, family, and God for supporting her through the process, according to cagesidepress.com.

A Fight for Health and Identity

Carano emphasized that the fight with Rousey was the driving force behind her transformation. “If it wasn’t for having this incredibly challenging goal in fighting Ronda Rousey, I most definitely wouldn’t have reached this,” she wrote. The fight was streamed exclusively on Netflix and marked the debut of the first-ever MVP MMA card. Carano’s journey reflects a broader personal health journey, as she expressed her desire to continue learning and transforming her body in the future. “There is still so much I need to learn and want to do in the health space,” she added.

Encouragement and Hope

Despite the emotional and physical toll of the weight loss, Carano ended her message on a hopeful note. “I pray this encourages you wherever you are in your health journey. Believe there is hope. Never give up,” she wrote. Her words have resonated with many followers, who have shared their own health journeys in response. The fight, which took place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, was a culmination of years of effort for both fighters and marked a return for Carano to the sport she once dominated.