INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Ronda Rousey stepped back into the MMA cage after a 9.5-year break, eager to show she still has it. In just 17 seconds, she finished Gina Carano with her trademark armbar in a fight that felt like a blast from the past.
After the quick victory, Rousey, now 39, said this fight was a fitting conclusion to her impressive career. “I didn’t want to hurt her,” Rousey commented. “It was beautiful martial arts.”
As soon as the bell rang, Rousey charged at Carano, quickly executing her well-practiced move. Fans were taken back to Rousey’s early days, where she often won fights in under a minute. When asked if she wished to savor the moment a bit longer, she laughed, saying, “Hell no! My kids are watching. I want to keep it brief.”
Carano, 44, who hadn’t fought in 17 years, was all smiles after the match. “I wanted that to last longer,” she said, but acknowledged her long time out of the ring. After the fight, she and Rousey shared a warm hug, raising each other’s arms in joy.
This matchup was special, reviving two icons from the early days of women’s MMA. Rousey was pivotal in bringing women’s fights to the UFC, winning the first women’s title. Her rise inspired many, while Carano helped legitimize MMA as a sport in the late 2000s.
Before stepping away, Rousey faced back-to-back losses, while Carano transitioned into acting after her first defeat. But after having two children and settling into life on her farm, Rousey couldn’t resist the allure of a comeback. She had been eyeing a fight with Carano, who had also faced personal struggles, notably in her career choices following controversial social media posts in 2021.
Carano expressed satisfaction just being in the ring again. “Getting in here after 17 years was a victory,” she said, acknowledging Rousey’s preparation. “I have so much love and respect for her.”
This event, held at the Intuit Dome, marked Netflix’s first live MMA show, a bold move as the platform dives deeper into sports entertainment.
While Rousey affirmed this would be her final fight, Carano kept her options open for the future. The promoter expressed eagerness to have her back. “Seventeen years away is a long time. Being 44 adds challenges,” Carano reflected, acknowledging that she didn’t get to fully showcase her skills in this match.
Both fighters’ journeys serve as a reminder of the evolution of women’s sports, highlighting how far they’ve come and hinting at what lies ahead.
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Gina Carano, Mixed martial arts, AP Top News, California, Sports
