Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano1 of 5
Nick Akerman: It’s mad to think we’re a decade on from Ronda Rousey’s brutal loss to Amanda Nunes. It’s even madder to think the 44-year-old Gina Carano was in her 20s when she last fought.
Both fighters may feel they have something to prove in what is essentially a late-to-the-party clash of two of the most important competitors in women’s MMA history. Rousey has to be considered the huge favourite for multiple reasons.
For one, her grappling and submission game will have likely maintained itself better than Carano’s power. While Rousey has spoken recently about neurological and depth-perception issues when getting battered by Holm, we can’t expect that level of impact here. She has time to work and time to avoid putting herself in difficult situations. She can slowly work through the gears if she needs to.
Carano has also never fought someone with Rousey’s technical ability. Cris Cyborg is the only opponent who had Rousey’s class, although in different areas, and brushed Carano aside in her prime. I think the younger Rousey will work harder and get it done fairly easily, as there seems to be a real hunger about her at the moment.
Prediction: Rousey by submission, Rd. 2
Lyle Fitzsimmons: If you think it’s crazy that Rousey has a main event, without a win since 2015, it’s even crazier to think Carano got the gig despite having not had a hand raised since Jake Paul was 11 years old. Still, star power wins out, and it’ll be enough to lead SportsCenter.
Neither is what she was in her prime or at the end of the competitive road, but both the former UFC champ and Strikeforce title challenger probably have enough athletic muscle memory to make for a worthwhile Saturday night on Netflix.
Rousey’s reputation was built on aggression and world-class judo skills, which yielded submissions in nine of her 12 pro wins. She was ultimately bedeviled by skilled strikers, however, as proven by both Holm and Nunes.
Those results might prompt optimism for the Carano supporters in the building in Los Angeles—and it should make for good streaming—but the guess here is that the “Rowdy” one takes advantage of the closeness, gets her rival into a compromising position and sends the crowd home happy inside of five minutes.
Prediction: Rousey by submission, Rd. 1
Tom Taylor: It’s still hard to believe this fight is happening. Obviously, it would have been better if it occurred a decade or more ago, but I’m still glad it’s happening. I’ve heard the haters’ arguments, and I still think it’s a fun throwback, and it’s cool that two women will headline the first MMA event on Netflix.
My gut reaction about the outcome of the fight is the same as most people’s. Rousey will probably win by submission, probably with an armbar, and probably quickly. That’s what she did to nearly everybody she fought in MMA. It’s always been her M.O., and it’s doubtful that has changed even after all these years.
We also know from her last two fights that she doesn’t like getting hit, will give her extra motivation to get this fight to the ground quickly. Her judo should allow her to do this, and if it does, it’s hard to imagine Carano surviving for long.
I’ll admit that a bit of doubt has been creeping in as the fight gets closer. It’s hard to forget how badly Rousey responded to getting hit clean in her last two fights, and Carano is still a big, strong woman with good muay thai fundamentals even in her 40s.
I don’t think a Carano win is as farfetched as the odds suggests. Still, I’ve got to go with my gut. I would have favored Rousey 10 years ago, and I favor her now.
Prediction: Rousey by submission, Rd. 1