When Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix announced last month that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey would return to the cage to take on fellow women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano, it sent shockwaves throughout combat sports.
Rousey, 39, last fought in December 2016, losing to Amanda Nunes via TKO at UFC 207. Carano, 43, hasn’t fought since August 2009, losing to Cris Cyborg by TKO for the inaugural Strikeforce Women’s Featherweight Championship. Despite having been years since either competed, both still have household names and the bout is expected to draw big numbers. But who will win?
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra weighed in on the matchup, their conflicting styles and gave his prediction for the May 16 clash at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
“I love it. They’re still young enough. You know what I mean? And you talk about, you know, neither took damage. I mean, Ronda been doing the wrestling which could do damage on you, but as far as blows to the head and stuff, they’re coming off the couch fresh,” Serra said on his YouTube channel. “They’ve got to get in shape. Gina hasn’t fought in forever, but it’s not like you don’t know how to fight. You’ve got to just knock the rust off.”
As far as the outcome, Serra believes Rousey has a significant advantage if the fight goes to the ground.
“If it hits the floor, which Ronda’s No. 1 game plan should be, I feel that it should be a submission fairly quickly,” Serra said. “First-round submission, Ronda Rousey. I’m going to say arm lock.”