Ronda Rousey Retires After 17-Second Carano Win, Calls Herself MMA's Best Ever
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · May 20
Ronda Rousey Retires After 17-Second Carano Win, Calls Herself MMA's Best Ever
2 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · May 20
Ronda Rousey said on Instagram she is done fighting for good after submitting Gina Carano in 17 seconds on Saturday, ending her MMA career with her first bout since 2016.
The 39-year-old said the decision came because preparing for the fight mattered more than the victory itself, and she now wants to focus on family and having more children.
Rousey used the retirement post to declare herself "the best to have ever done it," framing MMA as the craft in which she reached her highest level of mastery.
The farewell followed a vintage finish with her trademark armbar against Carano, who was also returning after a long layoff and had not fought since 2009.
Does a 17-second comeback win truly cement Rousey's legacy after her controversial UFC exit years ago?
Did Rousey's record-breaking Netflix event just signal the death of traditional sports pay-per-view?
After a record debut, can Jake Paul's promotion and Netflix truly break the UFC's long-standing hold on MMA?
Ronda Rousey’s 17-Second Comeback: 17 Million Viewers Witness MMA’s Netflix Revolution and UFC’s Missed Opportunity
Overview
Ronda Rousey made a dramatic return to mixed martial arts on May 16, 2026, nearly a decade after her initial retirement. She secured her 10th submission victory, showing the same grappling skills that once made her a UFC superstar. After her earlier defeats by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, Rousey spent her hiatus building a successful career outside the cage, including becoming a WWE champion, bestselling author, and film actress. Her comeback fight not only marked a triumphant end to her MMA journey but also highlighted her lasting impact on the sport and her ability to reinvent herself beyond fighting.