Ronda Rousey Says Migraine Aura Drove 2 UFC Losses as She Returns at 39
Updated
Updated · New York Post · May 11
Ronda Rousey Says Migraine Aura Drove 2 UFC Losses as She Returns at 39
9 articles · Updated · New York Post · May 11
Rousey said neurological problems—notably migraine aura, vision loss and slowed processing—left her unable to see or think clearly during her 2015 knockout loss to Holly Holm and her 2016 defeat to Amanda Nunes.
The 39-year-old said the symptoms hit as soon as Holm landed, loosening her lower teeth and cutting her lip, and she spent the fight trying to hide that she had lost depth perception and the ability to track movement.
Those issues persisted into the Nunes bout, which ended in 59 seconds, and Rousey said she realized afterward that she could no longer absorb strikes and that her MMA career was effectively over.
Rousey credited Dana White for sending her to the Cleveland Clinic, where preventative medication she called life-changing now allows her to return against Gina Carano in Netflix's first MMA card on Saturday.
She said the comeback—expected to be her last fight—also fits a bigger goal: helping MVP and Netflix emerge as a rival platform that gives fighters more leverage against the UFC.
After revealing career-ending neurological issues, is Ronda Rousey's comeback a medical triumph or a dangerous gamble?
Can Ronda Rousey's Netflix debut finally create a legitimate rival to the UFC's MMA empire?
Rousey vs. Carano on Netflix: The $100 Million Fight Reshaping MMA, Athlete Health, and Streaming Sports
Overview
The upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight on May 16, 2026, marks a historic moment for women’s MMA and streaming, as Netflix exclusively broadcasts the main card to a global audience. Both Rousey and Carano are pioneers who have elevated women’s combat sports, making their return to the octagon highly significant. Netflix’s move into live sports highlights a growing trend of streaming platforms hosting major events, promising unprecedented viewership. The event features a strong fight card and showcases how streaming can reshape how fans experience high-profile sports, setting a new standard for the industry.