Rousey, Carano Trade Respect Ahead of May 16 MMA Return Fight

10 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 14

May 14’s Los Angeles press conference put Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face to face before their May 16 main event, with both framing the bout less as a grudge match than a full-circle meeting.
Rousey said she no longer feels she must win to validate her training and credited Carano with inspiring her career, while Carano—returning after 17 years—said the women she inspired are now inspiring her back.
UFC also became a flashpoint: Rousey said the promotion likely regrets not making the fight, praised MVP for putting fighters first, and added she owes “TKO’s UFC” nothing.
The card at Intuit Dome also features Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins, with Ngannou saying Saturday will refresh anyone with “short memory” about his standing.
The professionally sanctioned featherweight main event is set for five five-minute rounds under Unified Rules, with prelims starting at 6 p.m. ET and the main card streaming on Netflix at about 9 p.m. ET.

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