Ronda Rousey Criticizes UFC Ahead of Netflix MMA Return

As noted, Ronda Rousey is set to return to MMA competition for the first time in nearly a decade. She will headline a May 16, 2026 event promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and streamed live worldwide on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers.

Rousey vs. Carano: A Pioneering Matchup

Rousey will face fellow MMA pioneer Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The show will mark Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast and the first MMA card promoted by MVP. The fight will take place inside a hexagon cage. Netflix announced the event on February 17, 2026.

Disagreement with UFC Over Pay-Per-View Model

During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Rousey discussed why the bout is not being promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She stated that she had previously negotiated with Dana White for a deal that would have paid her more per pay-per-view buy than any fighter in company history. But, she said the promotion did not seek to guarantee the compensation she sought once its pay-per-view model shifted as part of its streaming agreement with ESPN.

“I went to (Dana White) and said, ‘Dude, you always say that I’m the best fighter you ever worked with. Like, reward me for it. Don’t punish me for being easy to operate with. Give me the best deal you ever gave anybody.’”

“He came back and he literally brought me a deal where I would make more per pay-per-view buy than anybody in history.”

“It happened to go to the other side of when ESPN deal and their pay-per-view model would be ending and they would be going to streaming.”

“They didn’t want to set a precedent of giving me the guaranteed money that I deserve because once I raise that tide it lifts all the boats.”

“It’s in their best interest actually not to put on the best fights possible, but to spend as little money as possible so that they can keep it.”

Shift in UFC’s Priorities

Rousey said the company now focuses on “the most cost effective fights possible” rather than “putting on the best fights possible.” She added that this approach led her to pursue the Carano fight outside the UFC structure. Yahoo Sports reports that this shift in strategy has been observed across the industry.

“It no longer made sense for for me to go over there because they didn’t want to pay us the money that we deserve because then for the rest of the the time of the deal, they’re going to have to pay everybody else more. And so then I decided to look elsewhere.”

MVP and Netflix’s Entry into MMA

The event on May 16 will stream live on Netflix and marks Rousey’s official return to MMA competition. Deadline notes that this event signifies Netflix’s first foray into live MMA broadcasting, positioning it as a potential rival to traditional sports networks like ESPN, which currently holds exclusive rights to UFC in the U.S.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is bringing professional MMA to Netflix with this event, as stated on Most Valuable Promotions’ website.