Ronda Rousey will return to mixed martial arts for one final fight against Gina Carano on May 23 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions [1]. The 39-year-old MMA pioneer last fought in December 2016, when she lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 and retired from UFC competition [2, 1].

Rousey held a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 2 losses, starting her career undefeated at 12-0 before losing consecutively to Holly Holm and Nunes [1]. She was the first woman ever signed by UFC and defended the UFC Women’s Bantamweight title 6 times before her losses ended her reign [1]. Rousey was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018, recognizing her impact on the sport [1].

She described her departure from MMA as a "bitter divorce," marked by resentment and emotional walls on both sides [2]. Rousey said, "I'm not sure there was an end. It was all f---ed up. It was like one of those popup books over there, refusing to close" [2]. MMA was a difficult and painful chapter in her life.

After stepping away, Rousey transitioned to a full-time WWE career and largely left MMA behind [1]. However, she trained in secret for over a year, about 1 to 1.5 years, to prepare for this comeback fight [1]. She called her recent training camp joyful and fun, contrasting with her earlier "old-school" mindset of suffering and misery: "We made joy a priority — actually enjoying the process instead of just hoping enjoyment would come along the way" [1].

Rousey cited Gina Carano as her inspiration to return. She reflected on seeing Carano at a low point while Rousey was nine months pregnant. She said, "I was sitting nine months pregnant, about to pop, in an office chair. I saw her at a low point, losing her bodily identity and being really unhealthy" [1]. This moment helped rekindle her desire to fight again.

Rousey's first MMA loss to Holm in November 2015 marked a turning point in her difficult relationship with the sport [2]. Her final UFC fight came a year later in December 2016 [2].

The upcoming bout with Carano provides Rousey a chance to say goodbye on her own terms. She said, "Yeah, I’m excited. It’s finally, like, super real. At first, we were training in secret for, like, a year. It was really more like a year and a half at this point, but at least over a year. And now it’s kind of really bittersweet that it’s coming to an end. I’ve been having such a great time. This camp has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life" [1].