Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano on Netflix sets new MMA record

Just days after Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano made their MMA return on Jake Paul’s MVP [Most Valuable Promotions] on Netflix, the fight shattered all previous records. Both women made their comeback to MMA and main-evented the Netflix event.

Following a star-studded and action-filled card, Rousey and Carano faced off to headline the show. However, in less than 20 seconds, Rousey trapped Carano in an armbar and made her quit.

Rousey’s win over Gina Carano on Saturday, May. 16, 2026, has set a new record for the most-watched MMA event in the US. The dominant win peaked at 17 million viewers globally on Netflix, shattering the previous record of nine million.

In 2018, UFC 329, featuring the highly anticipated bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, set a record for pay-per-view buys with 2.4 million. Before that, UFC on FOX 1 in 2011 was considered the most-watched MMA event, drawing an estimated 8.8 million viewers.

According to the BBC, Rousey vs. Carano had a “minute audience” of 12.4 million, with Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz also participating in separate fights on the main card. MVP co-founders Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul suggested the numbers potentially opened the gate for more MMA events on Netflix. The fight also did an impressive $2.2m gate at the Intuit Dome in California.

Paul and Bidarian also shared their statement, where they heaped praise on the event’s success and performance. “The event also generated over 410 million impressions across MVP’s owned social channels, a live gate exceeding $2.2 million, and saw terrific commercial premises distribution across bars, restaurants, casinos, and hospitality venues nationwide. We’re incredibly proud of what was accomplished alongside our partners at Netflix and grateful to the athletes who helped make MVP MMA’s debut such a success.” (via TalkSport)