Ronda Rousey says Gina Carano fight will be her last in MMA career

Ronda Rousey has announced that her upcoming bout against Gina Carano will be the final fight of her MMA career, revealing the news in a candid interview with Ariel Helwani ahead of this weekend's event. Rousey stated she does not intend to compete again after the fight, citing a desire to have two more children as her primary reason for stepping away from combat sports.

Rousey, 39, carries a 12-2-0 professional record into what she describes as her farewell appearance. Fighting out of Team Hayastan and standing five-foot-seven with a 66-inch reach, the orthodox striker has been one of the defining figures in women's mixed martial arts. Her numbers reflect a dominant career: she lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, while averaging an exceptional 6.26 takedowns and 4.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underscoring the grappling-heavy style that made her a trailblazer in the sport.

Standing across from her will be Gina Carano, nicknamed "Conviction," who holds a 7-1-0 record and trains out of Xtreme Couture. The 44-year-old American stands five-foot-eight and brings her own well-rounded skill set, averaging 4.5 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, along with 1.24 takedowns and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Rousey has confirmed this is her retirement bout, giving the fight added significance beyond a standard contest
• Carano, a pioneer in her own right, provides a marquee opponent for a high-profile farewell
• The striking and grappling contrast between the two fighters creates a compelling stylistic matchup, with Rousey's elite takedown volume tested against Carano's durable, well-rounded game
• The result will serve as the final entry in one of the most consequential careers in women's MMA history