PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

RONDA ROUSEY COMMENTS ON CARANO FIGHT, SAYS SHE IS MOVING TO HAWAII

MVP Promotions announced:

MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ ROUSEY VS CARANO POST-FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

 THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GLOBAL LIVE SPORTS EVENT STREAMED EXCLUSIVELY ON NETFLIX ON SATURDAY, MAY 16TH

Video Clips HERE 

Los Angeles, CA  – May 16, 2026  –  Most Valuable Promotions’ (MVP) Rousey vs. Carano took place tonight at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA, streaming live globally only on Netflix and marking a major moment for MVP and Netflix as the two companies continued their expansion into MMA following the success of their record-breaking boxing events. The blockbuster card was headlined by former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey (13-2, 10 submissions, 3 KOs), who submitted combat sports trailblazer Gina Carano (7-2, 1 submission, 3 KOs) via armbar just 17 seconds into the opening round of their featherweight showdown. Additional standout performances included “Platinum” Mike Perry’s (15-8, 12 KOs) dominant TKO victory over Nate Diaz (22-15, 14 submissions, 4 KOs), Francis Ngannou’s (19-3, 14 KOs, 4 submissions) devastating first-round knockout over Philipe Lins (18-6, 9 KOs, 4 submissions), and a breakout performance from international star Salahdine Parnasse (22-2, 7 submissions, 4 KOs) who defeated  Kenneth Cross (17-4, 5 submissions, 7 KOs) with a first round TKO.

The blockbuster event streamed live globally only on Netflix at no additional cost to its 325+ million members and marked a major moment in combat sports as MVP and Netflix expanded their footprint into MMA following the historic success of their global boxing events. 

At the press conference following the fights, the fighters had much to discuss. See quotes below and view the full post-fight press conference on MVP’s YouTube channel HERE

JAKE PAUL QUOTES

On Rousey vs. Carano:

Gina’s a warrior. We want to see more. We want to see more from Ronda. 

On Rousey’s early finish:

As a fan, it’s bittersweet, right? She [Ronda Rousey] comes in with an arm bar and finishes it really fast. It’s historic. That’s her signature move. I also would have loved to see them standing up and engaging in the fight, but this is the fight world. You never know what is going to happen.

On MVP’s long-term strategy: 

The long-term strategy is whatever we want to make it. We’re visionaries. We execute. We put in the time. We put fighters here, and we’re here to disrupt. 

On Diaz vs. Perry: 

I think we need to see a Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry rematch. That was an incredible fight. Warriors. The bloodiest fight I’ve ever seen as an MMA fan. 

NAKISA BIDARIAN QUOTES 

On Rousey vs. Carano:

We’re incredibly satisfied, happy, and elated with what tonight ended up being, which was an electric performance from every single fighter on the card and a tremendous finish to what may be the end of Ronda Rousey’s career.

On Rousey working with MVP:

We’re very appreciative of her coming to Jake and I, and trusting in us to do this. 

On MVP’s future in MMA: 

This is just the start. We’re looking to get more structurally into MMA going forward.

On Rousey vs. Carano being a success:  

Tonight was a success across the board, no matter how you want to look at it. 

On the future of MVP: 

Through hard work, dedication, and good intentions, we’re in a good place, and there’s more to come.  

On Rousey ending her MMA career:

I think it was a storybook ending if this is the end of her book as a fighter. To do her fourth finish in under 35 seconds, never been done by a male or female.  

On Carano: 

I think she’s just getting started. She lost 100 pounds and got into athletic shape; now she has to decide if she wants to be an athlete again, and I think she has the opportunity to. 

On fighters receiving bonuses: 

I’m happy to announce that every single fighter on this card who had a finish bonus or a performance bonus, no matter the outcome, is getting that bonus. 

RONDA ROUSEY QUOTES 

On the quick finish and performance:

Maximum efficiency, minimum effort. You know, I told her [Gina Carano] I respect you and I’m breaking your arm. No contradiction there. I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible. I didn’t really want to hurt her. It was beautiful. It felt like the magic was back.

On the storybook ending and closure:

There’s no way I could’ve ended it better than this. This is a storybook ending if this is the end of my book as a fighter. I never thought I would come back. It didn’t cross my mind at all. But getting back into it reminded me of the joy that it gave me from the very beginning. Gina brought me into this sport, and she brought me back to it. We both needed to reclaim our bodily identity and rewrite our own ending together. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. I feel like I got the closure I needed.

On the fight itself and Gina Carano:

Gina showed so much perseverance. She’s a warrior. Fighting through everything she’s been through... I’m so thankful she trusted me and came on this journey. She wanted to fight the best version of herself, and I’m happy we could give that to the fans. Even though it was short, it was historic. Fourth finish under 35 seconds. Never been done by a male or female.

On the UFC timing/announcement during the event:

I found their timing a little catty, but it’s a compliment. They know we’re real competition now. Competition is good for the sport and for the fighters."

On her future with MVP and possible retirement:

I’m open to a future role with MVP if it fits my life. We’re moving to Hawaii, and we want more babies. This felt like the perfect ending.If this is the end, it’s better than retiring undefeated. I got to do it on my terms, with family watching, and give back to the sport and to Gina.

On the event overall and fighter pay/atmosphere:

This event was electric. It breathed new life into the sport. The atmosphere, the finishes, Netflix. It felt incredible. MVP is putting fighters first, and you can see it in the payouts and the respect. This is just the start.

MIKE PERRY QUOTES 

On what surprised him from the opening bell:

He [Nate Diaz] was landing some jabs and stuff, and I was like, I got to move my feet more. I think I was working at a pace that, you know, obviously I was bringing it, but I was thinking about five rounds.

On his bloody battle vs. Diaz: 

Sitting down in the second round, I was like, there's no way it's going to continue. I knew. And sure enough, it was too much blood, man. I felt kind of bad, but that's my job. I'm good at it. I worked really hard. I trained really hard. I'm violent as fuck. And I can take it too.

On a potential rematch with Nate Diaz:

Yeah, I think the game plan works the same. You know, that's my MMA skill. Keep it at a striking position where I can land really nasty stuff that does a lot of damage, and there's other ways to get people out of there. So yeah, I would do the same thing again. Why not? I was successful.

On Nate's punching power:

It was just more of a timing thing like I said with my feet. My feet had to move, but I was also pacing for fives... Yeah, obviously nothing hit me that... I mean, he cut my eye, so he did something, but to hurt me, I think Francis [Ngannou] would have to hit me with a right hook for that shit to do anything.

On working with MVP and Netflix: 

Everybody this week has been amazing. Working with the MVP crew and Netflix crew, meeting everyone... It's been a great experience. My second time working with Nakisa and MVP, and I'm happy to have made some waves tonight. Thanks to my opponent, too, you know, him showing up. He's a big dog, and he's been around for 20 freaking years. So much respect to my opponent, and I appreciate all the fans. I'm a really mean guy in this fighting stuff. So if they want to offer me some fights, I'll fuck somebody up.

NATE DIAZ QUOTES 

On his fight being cut short:

I was mad, but I understand. My eye was leaking out. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to get nothing done out there.   

On how he felt before the fight: 

MMA is hard work. It's a lot of work.  I felt like I just started to callous everything up. My body started to get hard. My legs started to get harder. Everything started to move right together. It all started to fall into rhythm, and then it was time to fight. So the way it goes with this shit, too.

On future fights: 

Let's line up another one and get it going. That was kind of like a kickoff. Here we go. I wish I wouldn't have got banged up and took a fucking loss for the night or for the start of it, but I'm ready to get in action now. 

On getting back to training: 

Right now, yeah, that's ASAP. Heal up, and I'll start running on Monday.

On his advice to fighters: 

Yeah, I would say if you're lucky enough to be in the UFC or on any big platform, take full advantage. Enjoy the ride and master that shit to the max. Capitalize on it and think about what you're gonna do. F**k everybody else. Get your shit moving and make a lot of noise in the process.

On a rematch vs. Mike Perry: 

They're already talking about the rematch in the cage, right? I thought that was next... Rematch ASAP. Sacramento, California. NorCal. Let's go. 

FRANCIS NGANNOU QUOTES 

On facing Philipe Lins: 

I think he’s been underestimated. I saw a lot of people count him out, and the guy that I faced tonight, and of course, I won, but he was tough. 

On Philipe Lins deserving performance of the night: 

By the way, I think he’s the guy that deserved the performance of the night, so maybe we should give the performance of the night to Philipe Lins. 

On thinking the fight would go the distance: 

I didn’t know I was going to finish in the first round. At some point, I knew we were going to round two when the fight was going on, and then I just flipped him at some point. I was prepared, and like ok this fight may go the distance. 

On his future plans to fight: 

If not, maybe that Jon Jones fight, then some big fight. I really have nothing special. I just want to keep doing it. 

SALAHDINE PARNASSE QUOTES

*All quotes have been translated into English from French. 

On his experience on the card:

I felt super comfortable. People have been treating me very kindly and openly. It was an amazing experience, and I’m looking forward to coming back here and having other successful fights.

On coming to the US two weeks before the fight: 

I came in advance to prepare for the fight and be ready. I felt good for the day of the fight.

On working with MVP on future fights:

I’m happy with the atmosphere and how things went through. I’m happy to come back at any time, and if it’s a good offer, I’m happy to showcase my talent as well.

On a future fight vs. Mike Perry:

I’m very excited about the idea of it. If Mike Perry wants to come to Paris and fight, then yeah.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) 

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian with a fighter first ethos. Since inception, MVP has produced 30 live boxing events and currently promotes nearly 60 fighters, 16 world champions, and 26 top contenders.

MVP has led boxing’s evolution in the streaming era through partnerships with the world’s leading platforms. In November 2024, MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 was the first-ever live professional sports event streamed on Netflix. Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event of all time with 125 million live viewers worldwide. MVP went on to partner with Netflix twice in 2025 for MVP’s Taylor vs. Serrano 3 and Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day.

Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US. Their 2025 trilogy on Netflix topped an all-women’s megacard that set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most world championship belts ever contested on a single fight card, male or female, with 17 world titles, earning nearly 6 million viewers globally. 

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services offering TV series, films, games and live programming across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time. 

About Intuit Dome

Intuit Dome, the home of the LA Clippers officially opened on August 15, 2024. In its first year, Intuit Dome has hosted over 100 live events and Clippers games and welcomed over one million fans. Located in Inglewood, Calif., Intuit Dome is built different and redefines fans' expectations for live experiences. To sign up to receive all Intuit Dome press releases and updates, email intuitdomepr@intuitdome.com and follow @IntuitDomePR.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet