Ronda Rousey Shocks MMA World with 17-Second Victory: What’s Next After Retirement?

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[SPOTV News — Reporter Shin In-seop] Ronda Rousey staged a sensational return to MMA after nearly a decade, ending her comeback in just 17 seconds. She announced her retirement in the ring and used the moment to sharply criticize how the UFC treats its fighters.

Rousey defeated Gina Carano by first-round armbar submission in the main event of Netflix’s first live MMA broadcast, held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The fight barely got started. Rousey shot for a takedown, slipped into her signature armbar and Carano tapped out after only 17 seconds.

At 39, Rousey showed no sign of rust despite a 10-year layoff. The victory was her 13th in 15 professional fights and her 10th by armbar submission.

After the fight Rousey said, “I wanted to rewrite my ending in combat sports. Gina is the person who brought me to MMA and the only one who made me come back. She’s my hero.”

She added, “She brought me home in a way no one else could. Together, we changed the world.”

Carano remains an iconic figure in women’s MMA. Along with Cris Cyborg in 2009, she helped headline some of the first major women’s main events and is credited with helping launch the modern era of women’s MMA.

But Carano had not fought competitively in 17 years, and there were questions about her timing and conditioning. In the end, she couldn’t counter Rousey’s fast, decisive game.

The fighters embraced after the bout. Carano smiled as she stood, and Rousey said she couldn’t have ended her career more perfectly. She reiterated her plans to retire, saying, “I want to have more children. Now I have to prepare for that.”

The comeback drew attention not just for the result but for the size of the purses involved.

According to California State Athletic Commission paperwork, Rousey’s reported base purse was $2.2 million (approximately 2.93 billion KRW). Carano’s base pay was listed at $1.05 million (approximately 1.40 billion KRW).

Those amounts reflect base purses only and do not include sponsor deals, separate bonuses or any Netflix-related revenue.

MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, one of the event promoters, said the organization paid every fighter at least $40,000 (approximately 53.3 million KRW) — a minimum well above what many entry-level UFC fighters typically receive.

Before the fight, Rousey was vocal in criticizing the UFC’s treatment of athletes.

“At one time, the UFC was the fairest place to get paid in combat sports. Now it’s one of the worst,” she said.

She added, “Many top fighters are leaving to find better treatment. A lot of lower-tier fighters can’t properly support their families and are living in poverty.”

“How can you expect top prospects to choose MMA when you don’t pay them like other sports? The UFC is losing talent to short-term greed,” Rousey said.

Separately, reports indicated Francis Ngannou earned $1.5 million (approximately 2.00 billion KRW), Nate Diaz $500,000 (approximately 666.7 million KRW) and Mike Perry $400,000 (approximately 533.3 million KRW) for the event.