A New Chapter for Two MMA Pioneers
Ronda Rousey, a name synonymous with mixed martial arts (MMA), has reflected on the remarkable journey of Gina Carano, another trailblazer in the sport. Rousey was amazed to discover that Carano once earned six figures for her fights, a testament to the significant financial progress women have made in MMA over the years.
Carano’s initial earnings were modest—just $1,000 for her debut fight. However, by 2009, she had climbed to the top, earning $120,000 for headlining against Cris “Cyborg” Justino. This marked a substantial leap from her early days, highlighting the evolving landscape of women’s combat sports.
The two iconic fighters are set to face each other on May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. While the financial rewards for this bout will be much higher than their previous matches, Carano emphasized that this fight is about more than just money. It represents an opportunity to conclude her MMA career on her own terms, and she expressed deep gratitude to Rousey for recognizing her contributions.
“It’s so surreal to be here and have Ronda Rousey recognize my contributions, especially when many would have overlooked me,” Carano said, visibly emotional. “I would have faded from history had she not chosen to fight me. Now, people can see that I was a fighter, not merely an actress.”
Carano, who has a record of 7-1, was a prominent figure in the early days of MMA. She participated in the first Nevada-sanctioned women’s bout in 2006. Despite her success, she struggled financially and supplemented her income by appearing on “American Gladiators.” Her journey reflects the challenges faced by many female athletes in the sport.
In contrast, Rousey achieved significant financial success, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in MMA history. By 2015, she had become the highest-paid female athlete, according to Nakisa Bidarian, a former UFC executive. Rousey’s impact on the sport is undeniable, and she now aims to ensure that other fighters benefit financially in ways that were previously unavailable.
During a press conference, Rousey announced that every fighter on the card, which will be streamed on Netflix, will receive a minimum of $40,000. This move could attract more mixed martial artists to Paul’s promotion, as it offers a fairer distribution of earnings.
“I want to do everything I can to support all fighters, including those with less experience,” Rousey stated. “Their contributions are vital to making MMA a sustainable career.”
While the exact earnings for Carano and Rousey in their upcoming fight remain undisclosed, it is expected to exceed what Carano, who turns 44 soon, anticipated earning in the sport again. After her departure from MMA following her loss to Justino, she transitioned to acting, appearing in various films and joining the cast of Disney’s “The Mandalorian.”
Carano has faced numerous challenges since her fighting career, including significant weight fluctuations. However, she has since addressed these issues as she prepares for a five-round match at the 145-pound limit. She noted that it no longer feels as if her last fight was so long ago.
Rousey proposed their fight for 2024 and expressed interest in collaborating with Most Valuable Promotions, having been impressed with its promotional efforts during high-profile boxing matches. She recognized the nostalgia fans had for iconic figures like Mike Tyson and speculated that they might feel similarly about the two MMA pioneers.
“I knew that Gina and I have something special that fans miss,” Rousey commented.
Following a traditional face-off at the press conference, Rousey and Carano embraced, reflecting on their past achievements and their current collaboration. Despite Rousey’s awareness of Carano’s career, Carano mentioned that even some of her neighbors were unaware of her accomplishments.
“I tell them, ‘YouTube me,’” Carano laughed. “I promise I’m on there.”
In a month, Carano will be featured on Netflix, where over 300 million subscribers can watch the fight card that also includes prominent MMA figures such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz.
If MVP’s first MMA event after a four-year hiatus from boxing proves successful, more fighters may gain the financial opportunities that Rousey believes they deserve in her sport.
“It shouldn’t be such a gamble,” she concluded.
