Ronda Rousey made a dominant return to MMA with a first-round victory over Gina Carano.
Headlining the special on Netflix, Rousey submitted Carano in just 17 seconds. Rousey hit a double leg takedown and transitioned to her signature armbar to achieve the submission victory. With previous fast wins over Cat Zingano at 14 seconds and Alexis Davis at 16 seconds, this was the third fastest win of Rousey’s fighting career.
Per the California State Athletic Commission, Rousey earned $2.2 million for the fight, while Carano earned $1.05 million. This is before any other bonuses are added. As Rousey received over $2 million in purse alone for the fight, the former UFC and WWE star made $129,411 for every second of the bout.
Prior to the special, Rousey had not fought since her loss to Amanda Nunes back in 2016. Carano’s last fight took place back in 2007, which saw her lose to Cris Cyborg. The fight was announced back in early February, marking both women’s comeback to the sport.
Ronda Rousey Done With MMA Following Return Fight
Speaking after the fight, Rousey credited Carano for influencing her own career. The former UFC Women’s Champion also added that she will not be returning to fighting, as she is looking to have more kids. Carano did not rule out a return to MMA.
The event aired live from the Intuit Dome in California, the same building where WWE Raw presented its first show on Netflix. Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions produced the event, marking the first time that his company and Netflix have been involved in the MMA world.
Featured image: WWE
