Ronda Rousey has revealed a surprising detail about the early stages of her return to mixed martial arts. Surprisingly, it began well before the fight with Gina Carano was officially announced.
Speaking about the lead-up to the long-anticipated bout, Rousey shared that she was already thinking about a comeback while pregnant. The moment came during the period when discussions around a potential clash with Carano were starting to take shape.
The former UFC champion recalled that her motivation to return was strong enough that she continued training even while expecting her child — a revelation that quickly caught attention among combat sports fans.
Ronda Rousey Says Pregnancy Didn’t Stop Early Training
According to Rousey, the idea for the matchup with Carano began in December 2024. At the time, she was pregnant but still contemplating one final chapter in the cage.
“I was about three months pregnant when my husband caught me doing suplexes in the garage,” Rousey said. Her husband, former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne, quickly stepped in with a reminder to slow things down.
“He’s like, ‘Girl, you gotta give it a little rest,’” she added.
Despite the unusual training session, the prospects of a fight between Rousey and Carano continued to grow. The former UFC Champion eventually proposed the bout when she was nine months pregnant, reaching out as both women considered returning from lengthy breaks in competition.
UFC CEO Dana White also played a role in the early discussions. Carano later revealed that White contacted her in 2024 and mentioned that Rousey was interested in fighting again — and that she specifically wanted the matchup with Carano.
The fight is now scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event will mark the first MMA card streamed live on Netflix.
Both athletes have been away from the sport for years, but the matchup has long been viewed as a dream fight dating back to the early days of women’s MMA.
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