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Ronda Rousey’s MMA return drew nearly 17M viewers for Netflix

By Thomson Reuters May 19, 2026 | 7:46 PM

The MMA bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano peaked at nearly 17 million global viewers and the three-fight main ​card averaged 12.4 million in its ‌Netflix debut, according to the network and Most Valuable Promotions, it was announced on Tuesday.

In the United States, Rousey-Carano peaked at 11.6 million viewers, while the card ‌averaged ​9.3 million.

Rousey, 39, the inaugural ⁠UFC bantamweight champion, returned ⁠to the sport opposite Carano, 44, and won with her signature armbar only 17 seconds into the featherweight fight at Inglewood, Calif., ​on Saturday in Most Valuable Promotions’ first MMA event.

A statement from Nakisa Bidarian and ⁠Jake Paul, co-founder of Most ⁠Valuable Productions read, in part, “We’re incredibly ​proud of what was accomplished alongside our partners ​at Netflix and grateful to the athletes who ‌helped make MVP MMA’s debut such a success. We’ve received an overwhelming amount of interest from investors, strategic partners, and fighters who want ⁠to be involved with MVP and the future of MVP MMA.

“We are currently reviewing all strategic options ⁠to do ‌something very meaningful within MMA on ⁠a go-forward basis with a distribution ​partner ‌like Netflix that shares our vision ​to create ⁠lasting impact.”

Netflix will broadcast the T-Mobile Home Run Derby in July 2026, along with an expanded lineup of 2026 NFL games and the global streaming of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

–Field ​Level Media