Ronda Rousey told Ariel Helwani in an interview that her upcoming bout with Gina Carano will be the final fight of her career. The former UFC champion stated she has no plans to compete again after this weekend's contest. Rousey explained that she wants to have two more children and does not wish to continue fighting afterward. This announcement comes as Rousey prepares for what appears to be a high-profile return bout against fellow MMA pioneer Carano. The decision marks what could be the definitive end to one of the most impactful careers in women's MMA history.
Ronda Rousey has revealed that her upcoming fight against Gina Carano will be the last of her professional career, telling ESPN's Ariel Helwani that she has no intention of competing again once this weekend's bout is finished.
Rousey, 39, carries a 12-2-0 record into the contest and stands as one of the most consequential figures in women's mixed martial arts history. Fighting out of Team Hayastan and standing five-foot-seven with a 66-inch reach, the orthodox striker has posted a striking accuracy of 52 percent alongside a remarkable 6.26 takedowns per 15 minutes — a figure that underscores the grappling dominance that defined her rise. She told Helwani that her desire to have two more children is a central reason behind the retirement decision, and that she does not wish to continue fighting after this bout.
Standing across from her will be Gina Carano, nicknamed "Conviction," who comes in at 44 years old with a 7-1-0 record. The five-foot-eight orthodox fighter, who trains at Xtreme Couture, lands 4.5 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and has averaged 1.24 takedowns per 15 minutes across her career. Carano is widely regarded as a pioneer of the women's MMA movement, making this matchup a meeting of two figures who shaped the sport's early landscape.
Why it matters
- Rousey's stated retirement would close one of the defining careers in women's combat sports history
- The bout pairs two athletes who were instrumental in building mainstream interest in women's MMA
- Carano's submission attempt rate of 1.6 per 15 minutes could present a grappling counter to Rousey's takedown-heavy style
- The outcome carries significant weight as Rousey's final professional statement inside the cage
