Gina Carano broke into a casual dance while staring down a completely stone-faced Ronda Rousey during their final face-off before Saturday night’s hugely anticipated MMA return fight.
The bizarre contrast between the two former icons instantly grabbed attention as Carano smiled and moved around playfully while Rousey stood frozen with the trademark intensity that once made her the biggest female fighter on the planet.
The pair will headline Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with the card also becoming the first MMA event ever broadcast live on Netflix.
For both women, the fight marks an extraordinary comeback.
Rousey, now 39, is returning to competition for the first time in 10 years, while Carano, 44, has not fought professionally in 17 years.
Yet despite the massive layoff, Carano appeared relaxed and full of confidence during the final staredown.
At one point during the lengthy face-off, she began dancing directly in front of Rousey while the former UFC champion refused to break her stare. When asked by host Ariel Helwani why she was dancing, Carano simply explained: “If I’m dancing I’m feeling really good.”
The actress and former MMA pioneer also reflected emotionally on the journey she has been through just to make it back into fighting shape.
Carano revealed she lost 100 pounds while preparing for the comeback after her physical and mental health deteriorated following her firing from The Mandalorian in 2021.
“Live your dreams, don’t give up on yourself. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she said. “That was the first victory, I’ll give you another victory tomorrow night.”
Carano weighed in at 141.4lbs for the contest, while Rousey came in slightly heavier at 142lbs.
Although the build-up to the fight has remained unusually respectful compared to most major combat sports events, Rousey’s expression during the face-off offered a reminder of the ruthless mentality that helped her dominate women’s MMA during her UFC prime.
“I usually kind of skip this part and get to the end but it’s cool to be here. My very last weigh in,” Rousey said. “We’re going to prove everyone wrong and I’ll prove everyone right that thinks I’m gonna win.”
Rousey has repeatedly insisted this fight will officially be the final bout of her career. And despite her respect and amity toward Carano, she also said she wouldn’t hesitate to dislocating her arm (although, she added that she also “wouldn’t hesitate in putting it back in place”).
Throughout fight week, she has also used the spotlight to campaign for better fighter pay and challenge the UFC over treatment of athletes.
“The work is done. The talk is over,” Rousey later posted on Instagram. “The wait has almost come to an end. Tomorrow we show the world why we deserve to be taken seriously.”
Carano, meanwhile, has largely stayed away from the verbal battles and instead focused on the personal achievement of making it back to this stage after nearly two decades away.
“I’ve shown up this far. I’ll be there to show up for this fight,” she wrote online.
“Saturday, May 16th. Come with us. The hard work it took to get here, some will never know. But, the ones that know have shown nothing but respect. I appreciate you.”
The fight itself already carries major significance in MMA history.
Carano was instrumental in helping women’s MMA gain mainstream attention when she became the first woman to headline a major event against Cris Cyborg back in 2009.
Rousey has frequently credited Carano as one of the inspirations behind her own career.
The pair even shared a brief embrace after the face-off ended, continuing the respectful tone that has surrounded the entire event.
Still, despite the smiles beforehand, concerns remain over the physical risks involved.
Both fighters will reportedly undergo additional concussion testing ahead of the bout after Rousey previously admitted repeated concussions forced her original retirement from the UFC.
Critics have questioned whether the fight should even be happening given the long absences and ages of both women.
Rousey, however, has completely dismissed the scepticism, calling the contest “the biggest fight in the world” and insisting it could “change the landscape of MMA”.
Also featured on the card are returning heavyweight star Francis Ngannou against Philipe Lins and fan favourite Nate Diaz taking on Mike Perry.
Though many critics think both women will fail to deliver the intensity and skill, there’s no doubt the star power in this bout will result in one of the most-watched fights – women’s or men’s – in MMA history.
Featured image credit: YouTube/Most Valuable Productions (screenshots)
