Monday, February 23, 2026

Dana White Addresses Ronda Rousey’s UFC Fight Talks Claim Ahead of Gina Carano Netflix Superfight

The world of mixed martial arts was buzzing with excitement when former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey revealed that she had approached UFC CEO Dana White to make a fight happen with Gina Carano. Both these fierce fighters had captured the hearts of millions of fans with their impressive skills in the octagon, and a fight between them seemed like a dream match-up. However, as exciting as this fight would have been, it was ultimately pushed back and now might not even happen at all. So, what happened? Let’s take a closer look.

Ronda Rousey was at the top of her game in the UFC, dominating her opponents and breaking records. The only thing missing for her was a fight with Gina Carano. The two had been on a collision course for years, with fans clamoring for a showdown between these two powerhouses. Rousey recently revealed that she had approached Dana White to make the fight happen, and he was interested in the idea. However, the fight was pushed back to 2026, and it might just be too late for it to happen.

Timing is a crucial factor in the world of sports, and it can make or break a fight. In this case, timing got in the way of Rousey and Carano’s dream match. Rousey’s rise to fame happened in 2013 when she became the first woman to sign with the UFC. At that time, Carano had already retired from MMA and was pursuing a career in Hollywood. This meant that the window for a fight between the two had already closed. Rousey’s dominance in the UFC further pushed the possibility of a match-up in the back burner, until now.

With both Rousey and Carano currently not active in the UFC, the fight seems like a distant dream. Rousey has been focusing on her family and her career in the world of professional wrestling, while Carano has been busy with her acting career. Moreover, both fighters have moved on from the UFC, with Rousey’s contract expiring in 2018 and Carano being released from her contract in 2009. This means that the fight would have to happen outside of the UFC, which adds another layer of complexity to making it happen.

Nevertheless, Rousey has not given up on the idea of a fight with Carano. She expressed her interest in the match-up, saying, “I would love to fight Gina, I would love to fight her in a rematch.” But with both fighters currently not active in the UFC, the chances of this fight happening are slim. However, there is still hope for fans, as Rousey’s recent revelation has reignited the possibility of a showdown between her and Carano.

Meanwhile, Dana White has addressed Rousey’s claim and clarified that he was interested in the fight happening, but the timing was not right. He stated, “It’s not like we were trying to keep the women away from each other. The timing could have been so perfect, we could have done that fight in 2013.” White’s statement highlights the unfortunate reality that timing can make or break a fight, and in this case, it was the latter.

However, fans can still catch Rousey and Carano in action, just not against each other. Rousey recently made her return to the world of professional wrestling, and Carano has been cast in the upcoming Netflix action film, “The Old Guard.” Both fighters have found success in their respective fields, and it’s only a matter of time before they cross paths again.

In conclusion, the dream match between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano could have happened much earlier and under a different promotional banner. However, timing ultimately got in the way, and the fight was pushed back to 2026. Although fans may never see these two fierce competitors face off in the octagon, they can still support them in their current endeavors. Who knows, maybe one day we will see a retired Rousey and Carano step back into the ring for one last epic showdown. Until then, we can only imagine the intensity and excitement a fight between these two would have brought.

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