Gina Carano Reveals Dana White's Apology Before Netflix Ronda Rousey Clash

MMA star Gina Carano has revealed that her much-anticipated fight against Ronda Rousey is finally coming to fruition on Netflix. In a significant disclosure, Carano shared that UFC CEO Dana White privately extended an apology to her and even offered a fight contract, all leading up to their historic Netflix main event.

Gina Carano on How the Ronda Rousey Fight Materialized

Carano, who boasts a 7-1 MMA record but has been out of active competition since 2009, appeared on the Jaxxon Podcast to discuss her upcoming bout. She is set to face former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey in Netflix's first-ever live mixed martial arts card, scheduled for May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event, which is co-promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, will be streamed at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers and will take place at featherweight (145 pounds).

Carano explained that Rousey effectively controlled the timing and direction of this long-rumored matchup. Describing the dynamics, Carano stated:

“From my perspective, the ball was basically in Ronda’s court of like what she wanted to do and where she wanted to take the fight and ultimately I think the fight went where she wanted it to go.”

Carano has previously characterized Rousey as the driving force behind the booking, mentioning in earlier reports that Rousey approached her and insisted there was “only one person” she wished to return against.

Dana White’s December 2024 Call and Fight Offer

Carano also disclosed a recent phone conversation with UFC CEO Dana White in December 2024. She noted that this call occurred during a challenging period in her career, following her dismissal from Disney. She recounted:

“From my perspective, it was it I got a call from Dana White, December 2024 and he was like, because Dana actually is very cool with me… He was one of the first text messages that said, ‘Hey, you know, um it’s going to be okay.’ You know, and I was like, ‘Dana White like is texting me?’ And out of all the people that didn’t text me, Dana White’s the one that’s like, ‘Hey, you got this.’”

Reports from her appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast indicate that during this December call, White offered an apology and even floated a potential fight offer. However, Carano remained steadfast in her decision not to return to the traditional mixed martial arts world. She described their relationship as having evolved from past tensions—stemming from a previously stalled Rousey bout and “disgusting” messages exchanged during earlier negotiations—into a more respectful connection.

The In-Person Apology: “He Actually Knelt Down”

Carano detailed an earlier, pivotal moment that profoundly shifted her perception of White. This encounter took place at an event where White approached her while she was seated with her family. Clarifying the recollection on the podcast, she emphasized:

“He Knelt Down. He did! He could apologize and he did apologize. We were I was sitting at a table with my family… He got down on his knees. I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ No, actually, no, he did. That’s respectful. Respectful. It was very nice.”

The initial friction between Carano and White dates back to 2014. During stagnant negotiations for a potential fight with Rousey, White reportedly sent a message that read, “This b***h is effing us around.” Carano initially believed the message was an error, suggesting to White that it might have been intended for someone else, to which he allegedly replied, “I don’t think I did.” According to Carano, this exchange, combined with White publicly discussing the talks after she had requested six months to prepare, completely shattered their trust. This effectively doomed the UFC version of a Rousey vs. Carano fight, a matchup that was only revitalized a decade later through their Netflix agreement.

White later sought her out in person at a family event, where he notably knelt by her table to apologize for his previous words and the subsequent fallout. Carano characterized this gesture as respectful and a testament to his character. This historical background now provides a stark contrast to his supportive outreach in December 2024, when he offered encouragement and a fight opportunity ahead of her highly anticipated return on Netflix.