Ronda Rousey, once the undisputed queen of the UFC women’s bantamweight division, saw her reign dramatically end at UFC 193. After holding the championship for over three years, her dominance was shattered by a devastating head kick from Holly Holm, leaving Rousey unconscious in Melbourne, Australia.
A surprising return to MMA has been announced for Rousey, now 39, against Gina Carano, 43. Scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, this bout marks a significant comeback for both fighters. Rousey last competed in December 2016, while Carano has not stepped into the cage since August 2009.
When asked for her thoughts on this highly anticipated matchup, Holm offered an insightful analysis without predicting a victor.
“I think whoever sticks to their game plan is going to come out with the win,” Holm stated. She acknowledged Carano’s long hiatus but noted her familiarity with high-pressure situations. “Gina hasn’t been in there in a long time, but she’s also not a stranger to the spotlight. She was one of the first females to be on cable television as a main event. So she’s been there, she’s not a stranger to it. Same thing with Ronda.”
Holm continued, elaborating on Rousey’s formidable background: “She’s been the champion. She’s been an Olympian for a reason. She’s put a lot of work in. She is very hard to beat with what her best skillset is. Gina’s going to have to fight to not get there. And she’s putting the work in. And Ronda, we’ll see when she comes back, too. I think we’ll see as soon as the first punches are thrown; you can really see where a fighter’s going to go from there.”
Before any potential MMA super-fight, Holm has her own challenge: a rematch for the WBA boxing lightweight title against Stephanie Han in El Paso, TX, on May 30. Following that, Holm confirmed her willingness to face the winner of the Rousey vs. Carano bout in the octagon.