The recent announcement by Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix regarding a fight between former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano ignited significant excitement in the combat sports world. This highly anticipated matchup pits two iconic figures against each other, despite their long absences from professional competition.
Rousey, 39, last stepped into the octagon in December 2016, where she suffered a TKO loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Carano, 43, has an even longer hiatus, not having competed since August 2009, when she was defeated by Cris Cyborg via TKO for the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship. Despite these lengthy breaks, both athletes remain widely recognized, and their upcoming bout is projected to attract a large audience.
Weighing in on this intriguing clash, former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra offered his insights into their contrasting styles and shared his prediction for the May 16 event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Serra expressed enthusiasm for the fight, noting that both competitors are still in an age bracket where they can perform effectively. He highlighted that neither fighter has sustained significant head trauma during their careers, suggesting they are relatively “fresh” despite their time away. While acknowledging Ronda’s wrestling background involves physical exertion, he believes both will need to focus on conditioning to shake off ring rust.
Regarding the potential outcome, Serra firmly believes that Ronda Rousey holds a substantial advantage if the fight transitions to the ground. He predicts a swift victory for Rousey, envisioning a first-round submission, specifically an armlock.
