Ronda Rousey says her upcoming fight with Gina Carano is about more than just legacy — it’s also smashing financial records for women in combat sports.
Rousey and Carano are set to headline MVP’s first-ever MMA event on Netflix this weekend in what many fans see as a dream fight years in the making between two of the biggest names women’s MMA has ever produced.
While speaking to talkSPORT in the UK, Rousey made it clear she believes this fight represents a much bigger moment than just another payday or comeback bout. Rousey then compared her own definition of greatness to fighters focused purely on championships and records.
“The biggest money fight is the biggest fight period. Mine is making history, making a cultural impact and influencing the future of the sport.”
She also pointed out that she already accomplished everything she wanted inside UFC. That’s when Rousey dropped the biggest claim of all surrounding the fight with Carano.
“I’ve already won a record eight consecutive title fights, there’s nothing left for me to do in UFC. So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have been paid in combat sports.”
The exact numbers for what both women are earning have not been publicly released yet. However, it has already been confirmed that every fighter on the card is guaranteed at least $40,000 even in defeat, which immediately fueled speculation that Rousey and Carano’s purses could be massive.
For comparison, Rousey’s final UFC fights were believed to earn her around $3 million, meaning this new Netflix-backed event could potentially top even that figure if her comments are accurate.
The fight itself is already one of the most talked-about women’s MMA matchups in years simply because of the history attached to both names. Carano helped bring mainstream attention to women’s MMA before Rousey exploded into superstardom and pushed the sport to an entirely different level globally.
Now, years later, the two pioneers are finally stepping into the cage together. At this point, Rousey clearly sees this fight as both a legacy moment and a statement about how far women’s combat sports have financially evolved.
Do you think Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano still feels like a massive fight in 2026,? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
