Netflix will livestream its first MMA fight on May 16, featuring retired fighters Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano in a featherweight bout co-hosted by Most Valuable Promotions. This event marks Netflix’s entry into live MMA coverage as part of its broader push into live sports and entertainment programming.
Netflix is set to broadcast its first mixed martial arts (MMA) event live on May 16, featuring a highly anticipated featherweight matchup between former fighters Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Both athletes retired from the sport — Rousey in 2016 and Carano in 2009 — but will return to the octagon for this one-time-only contest. The fight will be held inside a hexagonal cage and streamed globally, marking Netflix’s expansion into live combat sports following its previous boxing event broadcasts. The event is co-produced with Most Valuable Promotions, a company founded by Jake Paul. Rousey is a former UFC champion and Olympic medalist with a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 2 losses, while Carano is recognized as an early female MMA pioneer. Carano, also known for her acting role in The Mandalorian, became a controversial figure after social media posts led to her dismissal from the series. This MMA event reflects Netflix’s broader strategy to diversify its live content offerings, including talk shows, golf tournaments, and awards ceremonies.