Ronda Rousey is officially stepping back into the MMA cage after nearly a decade away — but CM Punk doesn’t think it’ll be easy for her.
While the Netflix-backed fight between Rousey and Gina Carano is being promoted as a historic super fight set for May 16, 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CM Punk knows firsthand how tough comebacks can be. Speaking to talkSPORT on February 20, 2026, CM Punk was asked about Rousey returning to MMA after 10 years away from competition. Punk, who has his own UFC experience, didn’t dismiss the fight — but he did offer a reality check, warning her of fighting at an older age.
“I think it’s great. We’re going to find out if she’s still got it. Fighting at an older age — trust me, I’m an expert on this — it’s not the easiest thing to do.”
Punk acknowledged that Rousey isn’t facing a young, active contender. Carano is 43 and has also been away from MMA for years, making this more of a legacy showdown than a rankings fight: “But she’s facing someone who’s around the same age and who’s also had a long layoff.”
Despite the concerns about age and time away, CM Punk made it clear this is still must-see television.
“They’re both big names, both big superstars. I think people are going to tune in to watch this — and I know I will.”
The fight will be contested under the Unified Rules of MMA, five five-minute rounds with 4oz gloves, and will mark Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast. So whether Rousey can recapture the dominance that once made her “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” remains to be seen — but according to Punk, the real test won’t just be skill, it’ll be time.
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