Rousey concludes career with swift submission at inaugural MVP event
The 39-year-old secured her 10th armbar finish in 15 seconds at the Intuit Dome, prompting immediate strategic responses from the UFC regarding fighter compensation and contract restrictions.
Ronda Rousey has ended her professional mixed martial arts career with a decisive 15-second victory over Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The bout, serving as the main event for the inaugural Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) card and broadcast on Netflix, marked Rousey’s return to competition after a 10-year absence. The 39-year-old secured the win via an armbar submission, bringing her professional record to 13 wins in 15 fights, with 10 of those victories coming by the same method.
Rousey described Carano, 44, as her hero who introduced her to the sport and showed her where her home was. The former UFC bantamweight champion stated that this contest would be her final fight, ruling out any further appearances in the cage. Following the submission, Rousey joked about her post-fight plans, noting she intends to have more children and focus on cooking, while Carano rose to her feet laughing before embracing her opponent emotionally.
The event highlighted significant tensions regarding fighter compensation and contractual freedom within the industry. Rousey had previously criticised the UFC for inadequate pay, suggesting the MVP-Netflix partnership could provide a viable alternative. Disclosed purses for the MVP card ranged from a minimum of £28,800 for undercard fighters, with Rousey earning £1.7 million and Francis Ngannou £1.1 million. In contrast, entry-level UFC fighters typically receive between £8,960 and £14,900, plus performance bonuses.
During the broadcast, former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones, acting as a pundit, highlighted the restrictive nature of UFC contracts. Jones noted that a bout with the retired Ngannou is unlikely due to his existing obligations to the organisation. This commentary underscored broader concerns about athlete autonomy, a theme Rousey emphasised by stating she would not be competing if the UFC had paid its fighters better in the past.
The UFC appeared to respond swiftly to the MVP debut, announcing Conor McGregor’s return against Max Holloway during the broadcast. Jake Paul, founder of MVP, attributed the announcement to the UFC feeling pressured by the new promotion, describing it as an attempt to piggyback off their event. Paul declared that this was the beginning of a takeover, signalling a potential shift in the landscape of mixed martial arts governance and promotion.
