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.

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey returned to combat sports with a bang on Saturday, subduing Gina Carano in just 17 seconds during the historic Netflix MMA live debut.

The highly anticipated headline bout ended almost immediately after the opening bell, as Rousey delivered a dominant submission victory over her opponent.

Rousey secured the win by locking in her signature armbar move. She opened the fight with an immediate clinch, threw Carano to the canvas, and forced the tap, all before the live audience could settle into their seats.

The result marked the 10th opening-round armbar submission of Rousey’s professional career.

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Ronda Rouse, Gina Carano Earn Record Payouts for Netflix Fight

Despite the surprisingly short fight, Rousey praised her rival's grit and competitiveness.

"Gina is the person who brought me into MMA. She’s the only person who could’ve brought me back into MMA. She’s my f***ing hero, man," Rousey told the crowd before speaking directly to Carano. "You changed my world and we changed the world, and I will never be able to pay you back enough. I’m so glad we finally got to share this moment."

Though Carano joked she "wanted the fight to last longer," she echoed Rousey's sentiments post match.

"I’ll probably feel [frustrated] later, but right now, getting in the cage was a victory. Getting here after 17 years was a victory. Fighting a legend was a victory. And I feel great — I just feel like I wanted to fight and I didn’t get that."

Beyond the quick finish, the event set a historic record for women's mixed martial arts.

According to official disclosures from the California State Athletic Commission, both fighters earned substantial payouts. Rousey took home a flat $2.2 million disclosed purse for her 17 seconds of cage time, while Carano took home $1.05 million.

Those numbers mark the highest disclosed payouts in women’s MMA history.

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.

Claressa Shields is reinforcing her place at the top of women's boxing — both with her resume and her words.

The undisputed champion recently pushed back against fighters associated with Most Valuable Promotions Women (MVPW), questioning the level of competition and making clear she sees a gap between herself and the rest of the field.

"I have been dominant for 20 years," Shields said on social media. "A girl ain’t never gave me a run for my money, though. Not even close."

But her message didn't stop there, as she directly addressed ongoing comparisons, calling out the Jake Paul-backed organization.

"But what I'm going to say is this, you MVP b—tches, keep Claressa Shields name out your motherf—king mouth. All of ya'll! Ya'll suck."

Shields's frustration lay mostly with MVPW headliner Alycia Baumgardner, following Baumgardner's recent super featherweight win. 

"Quit saying my name," she continued. "Quit hating on me to make you look better because when you get in the ring and you fight, you don't look better… When you want to be on my level, you need to work a little bit harder."

Shields's confidence likely draws on her status atop the ESPN rankings.

Shields remains the No. 1 pound-for-pound women's boxer, a position she has held via dominance across multiple divisions. Her resume includes world titles in five weight classes and a historic run as the only boxer — men's or women's — to be undisputed in three divisions in the four-belt era. 

Riding a 17-0 record, she's additionally topped the heavyweight charts for years.

While MVPW and other promotional companies add to the women's boxing space by bringing in new audiences and building stars, Shields — a two-time Olympic gold medalist — still views herself as the sport's standard.

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.

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano made their first public appearance together on Tuesday, promoting their May 16th comeback fight — marking a historic return for both MMA pioneers.

Speaking to the press, Rousey declared the upcoming Netflix matchup the biggest fight in mixed martial arts today.

"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," she said.

Carano, who turns 44 next month, hasn't competed since 2009. The former Strikeforce star became the first major women's MMA celebrity in the 2000s before transitioning to an entertainment career.

Rousey last fought in 2016 before having two children, with the 39-year-old proposing the matchup over a year ago while still pregnant. "This is the only fight I wanted to come back for, the only fight that can inspire me like that," she said.

Both fighters moved beyond the ring as the sport continued to accelerate, as Rousey convinced UFC to create women's divisions in the 2010s after Carano proved female fighters could draw audiences.

At the press conference, Rousey sharply criticized the UFC for offering far less money than she'll receive for May's MMA fight. She said she initially wanted to return on a UFC pay-per-view card, but rejected their proposal.

How to Watch the Gina Carano vs Ronda Rousey MMA Fight on Netflix

Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions is behind the May 15th Netflix fight, set to run in five five-minute rounds. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also appears on the card against Philipe Lins.

Gina Carano is returning to MMA action after a 17-year absence, Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Tuesday, as Carano gears up to face Ronda Rousey live on Netflix on May 16th.

The bout marks Rousey's first MMA appearance since 2016 and Carano's first since 2009. Both fighters date back to the early days of women's MMA, helping to build the sport's mainstream audience. Carano competed from 2006 to 2009 before transitioning to an acting career that included roles in Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, Deadpool, and The Mandalorian.

Rousey became the first woman signed to the UFC in 2012. She went on to hold the women's bantamweight title with six consecutive defenses — still a UFC record. After losses to Holly Holm in 2015 and Amanda Nunes in 2016, Rousey stepped away from the ring, becoming a three-time WWE champion from 2018 to 2022.

"Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for," Carano said. "This is an honor. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win."

Rousey framed the matchup as a major milestone. "Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women's combat sport history," she said.

How to watch the Gina Carano vs Ronda Rousey MMA fight on Netflix

Using four-ounce gloves inside a hexagon cage, the May 16th bout will subsequently span five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA. Most Valuable Promotions — co-founded by Jake Paul — is behind the event, broadcast live on Netflix.

A kickoff press conference is scheduled for March 5th in Los Angeles, with additional fights to be added at a later date.

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).

Claressa Shields may have been down, but she wasn’t out.

Her ground game needs some work, as she was dominated on the ground for two straight rounds. But the two-time Olympic gold medalist was able to rebound in the third round. She stayed in a safe, kneeling position and landed huge punches to Brittney Elkin, finishing her off by TKO at 1 minute, 44 seconds. 

The first two rounds were rough for Shields, as Elkin was able to get her down in the first round, move to a full mount and land punches from the top. The second was more of the same. 

But Shields stopped an attempted takedown in the third, which then enabled her to find her position and keep punching until she earned the TKO. 

The win moves Shields to 1-0 in her MMA career while Elkin, now 3-7, is on a four-fight losing streak