MMA Legends Return: Rousey, Carano, and More! (2026)

Rousey vs. Carano: The Ultimate Women's MMA Showdown

The highly anticipated return of two iconic women's MMA fighters, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, is set to headline the first MMA card under Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions on May 16. But here's where it gets exciting: while their highly publicized match is the main event, we can't help but wonder about the potential undercard fights that could steal the show. Let's dive into three epic matchups that could light up the MMA world.

Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman: The Trilogy Continues

More than a decade after their back-to-back UFC middleweight title fights in 2013, former champions Silva and Weidman were supposed to meet in a boxing match last November. However, Weidman's injury during training led to a last-minute replacement by Tyron Woodley. Despite this setback, the idea of a third fight between Silva and Weidman, who is 2-0 in the series, remains intriguing. With Silva's exceptional competition record and Weidman's determination to prove his dominance, this trilogy should happen in the MMA ring, not the boxing ring. Who knows, it might just be the perfect co-main event for Rousey-Carano, delivering an intriguing and action-packed night of MMA.

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir: A Nostalgic Rubber Match

While we'd love to see fights between athletes in their primes, the nostalgia of a long-awaited rubber match between Lesnar and Mir could be a treat. In their first fight at UFC 81 in 2008, Mir caught Lesnar in a kneebar, with referee Steve Mazzagatti's late stoppage causing controversy. The rematch at UFC 100 was arguably the biggest landmark event in UFC history, with Lesnar getting his revenge. These two personalities, Lesnar's fiery nature and Mir's condescending tone, would create A+ storylines and the back-and-forth between them would be perfect for a Netflix fight.

Nate Diaz vs. Anyone: The Iconic Return

Nate Diaz is a fan favorite, and his return to the cage after 3½ years is highly anticipated. His last fight against Tony Ferguson showcased all of his iconic mannerisms, from pointing and stalking to laughing at his opponent. MMA needs this guy back. Diaz has expressed his readiness to fight again, and while his potential opponents are yet to be determined, the mere mention of his name gets fans excited. Whether it's Jorge Masvidal or Gegard Mousasi, or even Mike Perry, who has reinvigorated himself in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the Nate Diaz show promises to be a thrilling addition to the undercard of Rousey-Carano.

MMA Legends Return: Rousey, Carano, and More! (2026)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 5802

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.