‘The Armbar Queen’ Returns: Ronda Rousey Submits Gina Carano In Seconds | WATCH

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 11:18 IST

Rousey made a stunning MMA comeback after nearly a decade away, defeating Carano in seconds with her trademark armbar submission in California.

Ronda Rousey needed only seconds to remind the combat sports world exactly who she is.

Competing in her first MMA fight in almost a decade, the former UFC champion made a thunderous return on Saturday night, submitting Gina Carano with her trademark armbar almost immediately after the opening bell.

The bout took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as part of the first MMA event promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

Vintage Rousey Returns

The moment the fight began, Rousey wasted no time.

The 39-year-old Olympic bronze medallist in judo quickly dragged Carano to the mat, smoothly transitioned into position and locked in the armbar that once terrorized the UFC women’s bantamweight division.

Carano had little choice but to tap almost instantly or risk serious damage to her arm.

The victory marked Rousey’s first MMA appearance since her losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes brought her UFC career to a sudden halt nearly a decade ago.

Emotional Reunion

After the fight, Rousey made it clear that this comeback was personal.

“Gina is the person who brought me into MMA, she’s the only person who could have brought me back into MMA," Rousey said in her post-fight interview.

“You brought me back home … you changed my world, and we changed the world. And I will never ever forget, and I will never be able to pay you back enough. I’m so glad we finally got to share this moment."

Carano, meanwhile, was left frustrated that the contest ended before she could truly showcase her preparation.

“I wanted that to last longer. I felt like I was so ready. I felt so good," she admitted.

“But I haven’t been here for 17 years, so getting in the cage was a victory."

Big Names Share The Spotlight

The card also featured several major names in action.

Francis Ngannou delivered a devastating knockout victory over Philipe Lins in the co-main event.

Elsewhere, Mike Perry stopped fan favourite Nate Diaz in the second round after opening severe cuts on Diaz’s face.

(with Reuters inputs)

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