MIAMI – When Ronda Rousey steps back into the cage later this month, it won't just be a personal comeback—it's a moment that could reignite the entire sport of women's MMA. And no one is more excited about it than the fighter who sent her into retirement nearly a decade ago.
Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female fighter of all time, faced Rousey in 2016 at UFC 207. That night, Nunes delivered a stunning first-round TKO that effectively ended Rousey's UFC career. Now, with both legends making returns from retirement, Nunes sees nothing but positive energy surrounding Rousey's comeback—even if it's happening outside the UFC octagon.
"Honestly, I don't see anybody losing here," Nunes told MMA Junkie. "Ronda Rousey is back, and she's going to fight Gina Carano. This is great for women's MMA. This is great for all of us."
Rousey will headline the inaugural event for MVP Promotions on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, streaming live on Netflix. Her opponent: Gina Carano, a true pioneer of women's MMA and former Strikeforce champion. For fans who remember the early days of the sport, this matchup feels like a long-awaited dream fight.
While Rousey and Carano prepare to settle old scores, Nunes has her own comeback to focus on. She was scheduled to face current UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison at UFC 324 in January, but the fight was postponed after Harrison suffered a neck injury requiring surgery. UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the promotion intends to rebook the bout as soon as Harrison is cleared to compete.
The tension between Rousey and Harrison—former teammates on the U.S. Olympic judo team—has added another layer of drama to the women's MMA landscape. The two have traded barbs online and in the media since the Carano fight was announced in February. But Nunes, ever the focused competitor, is tuning out the noise.
"I don't know what is going on with Kayla. I don't care," Nunes said. "I just want a date. I want Kayla focusing on a date, to give me a date. I want to get in there and face her. Whatever she has outside with whatever, I don't care. So, I don't see anything horrible here. I see, like, great."
For fans of women's MMA, this spring and summer are shaping up to be unforgettable. Whether it's Rousey vs. Carano in a historic Netflix showdown or Nunes vs. Harrison for UFC gold, the sport's biggest names are stepping back into the spotlight—and that's a victory for everyone.