Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is shutting down rumors of an Octagon rematch with longtime rival Holly Holm.
Rousy fired back at Holm's recent comments about running back the pair's iconic 2015 fight.
While fans continue to debate a second bout between the two fighters, Rousey cooled expectations during a recent media appearance. The MMA pioneer made clear that her competitive fighting days are behind her despite making quick business of Netflix's Gina Carano fight last month. Her focus now is on her family and creative projects outside of sports.
Holm, for her part, recently expressed interest in revisiting their history in the ring. The current MMA fighter said she would gladly accept the challenge if her former foe decided to return to UFC competition.
The two altered the course of women's combat sports more than a decade ago, when Holm landed the knockout that snapped Rousey's historic undefeated streak.
"The whole reason why me beating her was such a big deal is because she was so dominant,” Holm said. “You have to have a dominant champion in order to have a big upset. So I have all the respect for her."
Still, the 18-time world champion wasn't shy when she issued her challenge to Rousey.
"I always have said since the minute the last fight was over, I’ll always rematch her," Holm continued. "That’s always been available. But she wanted to come back and have this win and go back and enjoy life. No hate from me. I hope she does well."
However, despite the box-office appeal of a sequel, Rousey says she's at peace with her professional legacy.
"I'm retired, A," Rousey told Up and Adams. "And B, I think that I am a completely different fighter now. I definitely have the ability and the opportunity to be able to f—cking clean her clock and rewrite all of that, but it's no longer important to me anymore."
Even with the door firmly shut, fans remain fascinated by the potential rematch. Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm shattered pay-per-view records in 2015, and remains one of the sport's most iconic upsets.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) issued an indefinite ban against two-time Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight champion Claressa Shields following a physical altercation with boxer Alycia Baumgardner on Saturday.
The incident occurred during MVP’s inaugural mixed martial arts event at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Both athletes attended the card as VIP guests, but tensions escalated inside an exclusive lounge, where a verbal argument quickly turned physical. Video captured online shows Shields striking Baumgardner across the face before security guards separated the pair.
MVP issued a strict statement on Monday evening, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy regarding hostile or aggressive behavior. Company officials stated that physical violence outside of sanctioned competition is unacceptable.
As a result, Shields cannot attend any future MVP events.
"Effective immediately, Claressa Shields is banned from all MVP events until further notice," the statement reads. "There is a time and a place for fighter tension and banter, but to physically attack a fellow athlete while there as a guest inside a private VIP area is unacceptable."
The promotion thanked venue security for its swift intervention. They also commended Baumgardner for remaining calm and avoiding escalation during the dispute.
Alycia Baumgardner Speaks Out on Claressa Shields Altercation
Meanwhile, the fallout continues online.
Baumgardner released a statement on social media confirming she intends to handle the matter through legal channels. She characterized the physical contact as an unprovoked assault.
"The situation that occurred on Saturday was unprovoked and entirely consistent with the individual involved," Baumgardner wrote on X. "That conduct is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any professional sport."
This latest confrontation stems from a long-running social media feud between the two stars over their respective boxing status. Shields has not yet issued a formal response to the ban or the potential lawsuit.
MMA legends Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano return to the cage this Saturday, May 16th, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. But, before they trade strikes, both fighters must clear the final hurdle: today’s official weigh-ins.
Friday's event marks a pivotal moment for the two athletes. While the technical weigh-in ensures the brawlers hit the 145-pound featherweight limit, the ceremonial weigh-in that follows provide fans with a final high-stakes stare down. Both sessions will be streamed live beginning at 12 PM ET.
Once the scales are cleared, the focus shifts entirely to Saturday night's fight at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Rousey vs. Carano Settles Rivalry After Decade-Long Break
This bout marks the end of a decade-long hiatus for both athletes. Carano has not competed since 2009, while Rousey’s last professional appearance was in 2016.
Since their last fights, Carano transitioned into Hollywood with roles in The Mandalorian and Deadpool, while Rousey became a WWE champion and a best-selling author of her 2024 memoir, Our Fight.
Despite their break from the ring, both trailblazers have reportedly undergone intensive training camps. They will compete under full professional rules, including the use of four-ounce gloves and a hexagon cage.
While anticipation is high for the match, Carano and Rousey have expressed plenty of respect for each other in the buildup. Carano recently told Netflix, "She [Rousey] thanked me for opening up doors for her career and was respectful in asking for this fight to happen. This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win, and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome."
How to Watch the MMA Matchup on Netflix
The entire event will stream live on Netflix, marking a new era for MMA broadcasting. In addition to the main event, the card features high-profile bouts including Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and the return of heavyweight Francis Ngannou.
For fans of the sport (and the athletes themselves) this weekend is about more than just a win; it is about crowning a legend in the history of the sport. The main card begins Saturday, May 16th, at 9 PM ET.
While Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano is still set for May 16th, the blockbuster MMA card has already taken an early hit.
Former UFC and Bellator veteran Lorenz Larkin withdrew from his scheduled welterweight bout against Jason Jackson due to a knee injury, removing one of the more notable fights from the undercard just weeks before the event.
Larkin announced the news on social media this week, confirming the injury and apologizing for the late change. His bout is one of 11 fights on the books before the main event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
However, despite the setback, the spotlight remains firmly on women's MMA stars Rousey and Carano.
The two MMA pioneers made their first public appearance together last month to promote the Netflix event. This marked a historic return for both fighters.
"There are no two people in this sport with more international name recognition than me and Gina. Except Conor [McGregor], but no one is going to sanction that," Rousey said.
Rousey, 39, last fought in 2016 before stepping away from MMA and starting a family. She said she proposed the matchup more than a year ago while pregnant, pinning her comeback on this specific matchup.
"This is the only fight I wanted to come back for, the only fight that can inspire me like that," Rousey said.
Carano, who turns 44 next month, has not competed since 2009. She was the first major women's MMA crossover star before transitioning into film and television, helping lay the foundation for the sport's growth.
Even with Larkin out, the card still carries major names. Francis Ngannou will face Philipe Lins, while Nate Diaz and Mike Perry will also square off. MVP and Netflix will move forward as planned, with a replacement for Jackson reportedly being explored.
How to Watch the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix MMA Fight
Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions is behind the fight, running in five five-minute rounds on May 16th on Netflix.
The UFC announced it will induct a 2020 bout between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk into it Hall of Fame Fight Wing this summer, marking the first women's bout to receive the honor.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk fought for the strawweight title in the co-main event of UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight was later regarded as the greatest women's fight in MMA history.
"I knew this was going to be a badass fight and it absolutely delivered," UFC CEO Dana White said. "Congrats to Joanna and Weili on a fight that will always be remembered!"
In the ring, Zhang battered Jedrzejczyk with left hooks and straight rights. The Polish fighter countered with punching combinations and kicks. Jedrzejczyk developed a massive hematoma on her forehead that quickly became a lasting images.
The fighters combined for 351 significant strikes over 25 minutes — the most ever in a women's bout. Zhang eventually captured the split-decision victory.
Zhang and Jedrzejczyk later met in a rematch at UFC 275, with Zhang knocking her rival out with a spinning back fist in the second round. Jedrzejczyk retired after the loss.
Zhang currently competes in the UFC strawweight division, defending the title multiple times to remain one of UFC's top competitors.
The fight subsequently won several awards. Yahoo! Sports, The Athletic, CBS Sports, and others dubbed it the Fight of the Year.
"UFC 248 is one of the greatest fights I've ever seen," White added. "This fight was incredible."
Amanda Nunes, considered the greatest women’s fighter of all time, announced her retirement on Saturday at UFC 289.
Nunes shared her decision after defeating Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-44) to defend her UFC women’s bantamweight title at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Double champion forever,” Nunes shouted into the microphone while her gloves were cut off. “This is the perfect night to retire.”
Asked after what she hopes she’s remembered for, Nunes didn’t hesitate. “The greatest of all time,” she said. “I did everything. I broke a lot of records.”
Nunes retires with the most wins in UFC women’s history (16), the most UFC women’s title fight wins (11), and most finishes in women’s UFC history (10).
"Double champion FOREVER. Tonight is a perfect night to retire."
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 11, 2023
🏆🦁🏆 @Amanda_Leoa leaves the Octagon as one of the greatest to EVER do it. #UFC289 pic.twitter.com/N3TtgjOQAz