Rousey stone-faced as Carano dances in final face-off

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano face off before their fight at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Ronda Rousey (left) and Gina Caranoi will compete in the first MMA event shown live on Netflix

ByPaul BattisonBBC Sport Journalist

Published2 hours ago

Gina Carano danced in front of a stone-faced Ronda Rousey as the pair faced off for the final time before their featherweight bout in Los Angeles on Saturday.

With Rousey displaying some of her trademark intensity which helped her become one of the biggest MMA stars in the world, Carano was unfazed as she nonchalantly danced on the spot during a lengthy staredown.

Rousey, 39, is fighting for the first time since retiring 10 years ago, while 44-year-old fellow American Carano enters the bout at the Intuit Dome having not competed for 17 years.

Despite her lengthy absence from the sport, Carano, displayed supreme confidence before the bout, which will be the first MMA event to be broadcast live on Netflix.

She weighed in at 141.4lb (10st 1.4lb), with Rousey clocking 142lb (10st 2lb) on the scales.

Carano added she has lost 100lb (7st 2lb) in preparation for the bout after her physical and mental health declined when she was fired from The Mandalorian in 2021.

"If I'm dancing I'm feeling really good," said Carano.

"Live your dreams, don't give up on yourself. That was the hardest thing I've ever done.

"That was the first victory, I'll give you another victory tomorrow night."

The fight, which will take place under the banner of Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), will set a new purse record for female fighters, according to Rousey.

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The event has had a celebratory feel to it throughout fight week, with Rousey and Carano's respectful and friendly relationship setting the tone.

Rousey has been joyful and all-smiles during the build-up, but her serious stare towards Carano gave a glimpse of the mindset which helped her defend the UFC bantamweight title six times during a near three-year stint from 2013.

"I usually kind of skip this part and get to the end but it's cool to be here. My very last weigh in," said Rousey, who insisted this would be her farewell fight.

"We're going to prove everyone wrong and I'll prove everyone right that thinks I'm gonna win."

Carano opened the door for women's MMA when she became the first woman to headline a major event alongside Cris Cyborg in 2009, with Rousey listing her as a big inspiration in her pursuing a career in the sport.

The pair have also joined forces, with Rousey leading the charge throughout fight week, in speaking passionately about wanting to challenge the UFC and campaigning for better fighter pay.

After the staredown, the pair shook hands before a brief embrace.

Split image of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano weighing in

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption,

Rousey has insisted Saturday is her last fight

Both American fighters will undergo extra concussion tests with Rousey acknowledging in 2024 she was forced to retire from her UFC career because of repeated concussions.

It has led to criticism of the contest, with critics also suggesting the bout will lack competitiveness because of their ages, but Rousey has brushed skeptism aside by describing the bout as "the biggest fight in the world" and one that can "change the landscape of MMA".

Also on the card, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou takes on Philipe Lins and fan favourite Nate Diaz faces Mike Perry.

Cameroon's Ngannou, fighting for the first time since beating Renan Ferreira in 2024, weighed 257lb (18st 5lb), which was 30.6lb heavier than Brazil's Lins 220.6lb (15st 10.6lb), whose last fight two years ago was at light-heavyweight.

California local Diaz humoured the crowd at the Intuit Dome by pretending to the put journalist and host Ariel Helwan in a rear-naked choke.