TLDR
- Ronda Rousey says Dana White planned for her to fight Gina Carano for a UFC championship
- Negotiations between all parties broke down before a deal could be finalized
- The fight is now set to take place on Netflix instead of in the UFC
- Both fighters are considered pioneers who helped build women’s MMA
- UFC showed strong interest in bringing Rousey back specifically for the Carano matchup
Sources: Bloody Elbow | MMA Fighting | ESPN MMA | Sherdog
Ronda Rousey has revealed that UFC president Dana White wanted her to fight Gina Carano for a championship before negotiations fell apart. The former UFC bantamweight champion shared the details in a recent interview about her career.
Rousey said White pushed for the matchup to be a title fight within the UFC organization. The bout was expected to be a major event for women’s MMA given both fighters’ history in the sport.
However, talks between all parties broke down before any deal could be finalized. The reasons for the collapse in negotiations have not been made public.
Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano was going to be for a UFC title before negotiations fell apart https://t.co/bxiVanL9dp pic.twitter.com/TTtcgveDnJ
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) May 13, 2026
Fight Moves to Netflix Platform
After the UFC deal failed, Rousey and Carano pivoted to a different plan. The fight is now set to take place on Netflix instead of under the UFC banner.
This represents a rare instance of high-profile MMA fighters competing outside traditional fight promotions. Netflix has been expanding into live sports programming in recent years.
The streaming platform offers a different type of audience than typical pay-per-view UFC events. Both fighters have mainstream name recognition that could draw casual viewers.
Carano was one of the first major stars in women’s MMA before leaving the sport. She competed in Strikeforce and EliteXC during the mid-to-late 2000s.
Rousey followed Carano as the next breakout star in women’s fighting. She became UFC’s first female champion and helped legitimize women’s divisions in major MMA promotions.
Legacy Fight in Women’s MMA
Fans have long wanted to see these two pioneers face each other in the cage. Many consider it a dream matchup between different generations of women’s MMA.
Carano retired from active competition over a decade ago. Questions remain about her current fighting condition and readiness to return.
Rousey last competed in UFC in 2016 before transitioning to professional wrestling. She suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes before stepping away.
The UFC showed clear interest in bringing Rousey back for this specific fight. White’s willingness to offer a title shot indicates how valuable the promotion viewed the matchup.
Social media has been filled with reactions since Rousey made her comments public. Fans are debating what the fight would have looked like inside the UFC versus on Netflix.
Some supporters expressed disappointment that the bout won’t happen under UFC rules. Others are excited to see the fight happen regardless of the platform.
The timeline for the Netflix event has not been announced. Both fighters would need to complete training camps before any official date could be set.
Rousey’s revelation adds new context to her complicated relationship with UFC. She has been open about difficulties during her time with the promotion, particularly surrounding her final fights.
The failed negotiations represent another chapter in the ongoing evolution of how fighters get paid. More athletes are exploring options outside traditional MMA promotions for better financial terms.
Rousey confirmed the promotion’s interest in her return centered specifically on the Carano matchup. This suggests UFC saw unique value in this particular fight over other potential opponents.
