Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White isn’t losing sleep over Ronda Rousey’s comeback — even if it won’t happen under the UFC banner.
Former UFC Bantamweight champion and WWE star Rousey is set to face women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano on May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California, with the event scheduled to stream on Netflix.
That is, if they both clear “extensive” medical tests first.
Earlier this week, Rousey revealed that she initially brought the comeback idea to White, hoping to stage the fight in the UFC. According to her, talks ultimately stalled.
Speaking at the UFC Houston post-fight press conference, White confirmed discussions took place but downplayed the fallout.
“Her and I have been talking about this since last year,” White told the media. “It just didn’t work out. But I’m happy. Me and Gina are in a really good place. We weren’t at one point. I’m happy for both of them.”
White obviously didn’t elaborate on the financial details and did not directly address Rousey’s suggestion that compensation may have been a sticking point. Still, his comments align with what he said late last year, when he acknowledged meeting with Rousey in Las Vegas but claimed he wasn’t sure what her plans were at the time — a statement that now appears more strategic than uncertain.
Another wrinkle is White’s repaired relationship with Carano, who previously had a public falling out with him in 2019 over a nasty leaked text exchange.
In the end, the UFC won’t host the long-discussed superfight — but White made it clear there’s no bad blood from his side as Rousey moves forward outside the Octagon.
