Rousey, Carano & Mayweather Announce Stunning 2026 Comebacks

Two legends from different eras of combat sports are officially coming out of retirement and stepping back into the spotlight in 2026.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano will take place on May 16 at 145 pounds. The bout will headline the first MMA event promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will stream live on Netflix. It double serves as a historic moment with it being Netflix’s first MMA fight.

A Fight Years in the Making

A matchup between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano has long been considered one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA history.

The UFC previously attempted to put the fight together during the height of Rousey’s career, but things fell apart. Carano last competed in MMA in 2009 before transitioning into a successful acting career in film and television. By the time Rousey began her meteoric rise, Carano had already stepped away from the sport.

Rousey went on to become one of the biggest stars in combat sports history, helping bring women’s MMA into the mainstream. Her final MMA appearance came in 2016. Since then, she has built a equally successful career in WWE, and movies.

Now, nearly a decade later, fans will finally see the clash that once was just a dream fight.

Floyd Mayweather Also Targeting 2026 Return

Rousey and Carano aren’t the only legends planning a comeback.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has also announced plans to return to boxing in 2026. His last official professional fight came in 2017 when he defeated Conor McGregor.

Although he has participated in several exhibition bouts since then, Mayweather has not competed in a sanctioned professional contest. He is reportedly planning to un-retire following an exhibition bout against Mike Tyson rumored for the spring.

Whether these returns are one-off spectacles or the beginning of extended runs remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, some of the biggest names in combat sports are ready to make headlines again.

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About Post Author

Connor Rogowsky

Connor “Rags” Rogowsky is a Co-Founder of The Scrap, where he contributes MMA content and occasionally delves into the world of pro wrestling. A former collegiate athlete in football and track, Connor pairs his sports experience with academic expertise to the pieces he writes. He holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.

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