Ronda Rousey Reveals Reaching Out to Dana White Before Netflix Secured Gina Carano Fight

Former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey talks about her upcoming fight against Gina Carano and a conversation with Dana White.

Ronda Rousey Reveals Reaching Out to Dana White Before Netflix Secured Gina Carano Fight

Ronda Rousey spoke to Dana White (via X)

In Short
  • Ronda Rousey reached out to Dana White about a potential fight with Gina Carano before it was secured by Jake Paul's promotion.
  • Rousey cited her desire to help Carano as a major motivation for accepting the fight.
  • The matchup is seen as a significant event, with potential to be one of the biggest fights of the year.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano MMA fight on Netflix has to be one of the biggest fight announcements in recent memory. Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotion stunned the combat sports community after releasing a dramatic teaser featuring both legends going face-to-face.

Following the reveal, Rousey expressed visible excitement and revealed she had previously discussed the superfight with her former boss, Dana White. Ronda Rousey is widely regarded as one of the true pioneers of women’s mixed martial arts and helped shape the UFC’s female division.

CEO White consistently credited her contributions and called her the easiest fighter to work with in the company. Given their close relationship, many believed this superfight belonged under White’s promotion, and Rousey initially agreed with that same idea.

I reached out to Dana [White] and asked if he would be interested in it. It didn’t exactly work out with the UFC, but it led us to here today.

Ronda Rousey via ESPN 

A few months ago, Ronda Rousey denied any possibility of returning to the UFC and admitted she strongly disliked the UFC media. She also dismissed the idea of competing at the proposed White House event, explaining she wanted to focus on raising her children. However, the former champion later revealed that Gina Carano became a major motivation behind accepting the fight alongside Jake Paul’s promotion.

I was nine months pregnant, and I saw a video of Gina Carano giving an interview and she didn’t look good. She gained an unhealthy amount of weight and my first thought was, ‘Oh my god, what can I do to help?’ The reason why I had that thought was because she’s the one woman not only in MMA that doesn’t owe me a damn thing but that I owe immensely. I’m always trying to look out what I could do for her.

Ronda Rousey continued. 

Ronda Rousey’s last UFC appearance came in 2016 when she suffered a defeat to Amanda Nunes after losing to Holly Holm. Following that, she transitioned into professional wrestling and enjoyed a mixed run with WWE, capturing titles and global recognition. Now at the age of 39, she feels prepared to step back inside the MMA cage and compete once again.

UFC veteran believes Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano could be huge

Back in 2014, Dana White explored a superfight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, even arranging discussions to evaluate the blockbuster matchup. During those negotiations, Carano reportedly requested a six-month window to assemble a proper training camp and find a suitable team.

Jake Paul vs. Dana White the new rivalry
Jake Paul vs. Dana White the new rivalry (via Imago)

However, White allegedly disclosed details to the media, creating public pressure that complicated talks and ultimately prevented the highly anticipated fight. Now with Jake Paul promoting the bout through Most Valuable Promotions, the matchup carries a rivalry narrative against White.

Paul and White share longstanding tensions, with ‘The Problem Child’ repeatedly criticizing UFC over fighter pay disparities and contractual structures. UFC veteran Chael Sonnen recently weighed in, suggesting this showdown could become the biggest fight of the year.

Competitively, it’s just not the kind of thing you would see in the UFC but if you are in the big fight business and you are doing one-offs. It could be the fight of the year. You are not matching resumes. If you are doing big fights there’s a very different perspective. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson broke the internet. 

Chael Sonnen via his YouTube

As noted by Sonnen, the bout between Paul and Mike Tyson generated massive streams, surpassing events like Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. Paul’s last outing was against Anthony Joshua, where he secured a staggering payday that approached over $90 million. With that momentum behind him, it remains compelling to watch the YouTuber turned boxer continue expanding his footprint in the lucrative superfight business.

Also Read: