Ronda Rousey isn't just a fighter—she's a pioneer who helped put women's MMA on the map. Now, nearly a decade after her last bout, the legendary bantamweight is stepping back into the cage for one final showdown.

At 39 years old (born February 1, 1987, in California), Rousey is set to face fellow trailblazer Gina Carano in a highly anticipated 2026 comeback fight. Both women have been away from competition for years, but their shared history and experience promise an electrifying matchup.

Rousey's journey began at age 11 with judo. By 17, she was the youngest American judoka to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics. She went on to win a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games before retiring from judo at 21.

Her MMA career launched in 2010 with an amateur fight, and she turned pro the following year, submitting her first opponent in just 25 seconds. After joining Strikeforce in 2011, Rousey defeated Julia Budd, then submitted Miesha Tate in 2012 to claim the Strikeforce bantamweight title.

In November 2012, she made history as the first female fighter signed by the UFC, becoming the organization's inaugural women's bantamweight champion. Her dominance continued with six consecutive title defenses, all by first-round submission.

Now, Rousey says she's returning to rediscover her love for the sport. "I think I want to be able to change all my prior negative associations that I had in MMA," she told CBS Mornings. "Everything just kind of got convoluted... I'd lost sight of what I'd really loved about martial arts. Getting back to it and making joy in the process the priority has been the best decision I've ever made besides marrying my husband."

For fans of combat sports, this comeback is more than just a fight—it's a chance to see two icons write the final chapter of their rivalry. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable night in MMA history.