Ronda Rousey defeated Gina Carano in a historic MMA comeback with a 17-second armbar finish during Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) first event on Netflix on May 16, 2020, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout, the first time Rousey had fought in nearly 10 years, ended with Rousey saying, ‘I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible. I didn’t really want to hurt her. It was beautiful martial arts. That was art,’ according to ESPN. Rousey, 39, improved her professional record to 13–2 and confirmed she would not compete again.

A Return That Rewrote the Ending

Rousey’s victory marked a stark contrast to her final UFC appearances in 2015 and 2016, which ended with knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. This time, she controlled the fight from the outset, securing a takedown and transitioning to an armbar that forced Carano to tap out. According to Complex, the fight closed Rousey’s effort to ‘rewrite’ her MMA story, ending it on her terms rather than through defeat.

Carano, 44, returned to the cage after 17 years, having last competed in 2009. She had lost 100 pounds in preparation for the fight and described the comeback as ‘one of the hardest but healthiest experiences of my life.’ After the loss, Carano admitted, ‘I wanted that to last longer. I felt like I was so ready, I felt so good. I never felt that good, but I haven’t been here for 17 years.’

A Financial and Cultural Milestone

The fight was a significant financial event. According to DAZN, Rousey earned $2.2 million for the 17-second bout, translating to approximately $129,411 per second. Carano received $1.05 million for her return. The event was as a turning point for women’s MMA, headlining an event outside the UFC and on Netflix for the first time. Despite the hype, the Intuit Dome attendance was described as ‘discreet’ by some observers, with no official data on viewership yet available.

Emotionally, the fight was a reunion of sorts. Rousey praised Carano, saying, ‘Gina is a person who brought me into MMA. She is the only person who could bring me back into MMA. She’s my hero. You changed my world, and we changed the world. I could never be able to pay you back enough,’ according to the BBC. The two hugged multiple times after the fight, showing no signs of animosity.

Legacy, Marital, and Financial Notes

During the post-fight ceremony, Rousey shared a touching moment with her husband, Travis Browne, a former UFC fighter. The couple, married since 2017, embraced and kissed as the crowd cheered. Rousey’s return also highlighted the broader cultural shift in women’s MMA, as both fighters are considered pioneers in the sport. Carano had previously headlined major events in 2009, opening the door for women in the sport, while Rousey became the first woman signed to the UFC in 2012.

The fight ended with Rousey’s aggressive but calculated style on full display, a strategy she described as the ‘most efficient fighting style that ever existed.’ Unlike her previous defeats, this final bout was controlled and decisive. Rousey’s husband, Travis Browne, was also present, and the emotional moment between them was shared with the public as part of the Netflix broadcast.