A matchup between Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey has always been one of the biggest “what if?” fights in MMA history. The two legendary icons and pioneers are slated to face off on May 16th on Netflix. This fight is a dream matchup that no one really saw coming and if you want to check the betting odds for this big one to spice up the night you can always tap in on Stake. It pits the first notable pioneer of women’s MMA in Carano, against the first true women’s MMA megastar.
Looking back to 2009, Carano had her most notable fight against the always-dangerous Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino. It was in the Strikeforce promotion, and it marked the first time a woman had headlined an event on T.V. Many credit her for building women’s MMA. If we are talking about who legitimized it, that honor belongs to Rousey. Without her popularity, Dana White would not have taken notice, and we’d probably still be hearing quotes similar to “never” in terms of women and the UFC.
The two women had very different upbringings in the fight world. Carano, who came from a Muay Thai background, had come in at a time when it was difficult to find a gym that offered all martial arts disciplines. She had very little grappling training and had to basically learn on the fly. There were no real feeder leagues and no clear-cut path to make a career out of it.
Rousey, on the otherhand, had achieved much success and notoriety in the world of Judo. She secured a bronze medal in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. With a world-level foundation of grappling, but no real career goals, she turned her attention to the up-and-coming sport of mixed martial arts.
Many fans today enjoy debating about “style matchups” and often use the phrase “striker vs grappler”. Many have wondered how Carano’s striking skills and takedown defense would hold up against today’s grappling heavy tactitions. Like most, I do believe that there is merit in the thought that as the sport evolves, the skill level follows.
While I understand that we aren’t getting this matchup while the two are in their primes, I think that we should be grateful that we are getting it at all. Carano is forty-three years of age, while Rousey is thirty-nine. Carano hasn’t fought in seventeen years, and it’s been ten for Rousey. While those numbers can be jarring, the two women are well rested and appear to be in great shape. The two have been “enjoying” extended training camps, and so we shall see.
END OF CARANO VS. ROUSEY STILL MATTER RANT
So why does Carano vs. Rousey still matter? Still not convinced? This fight is more than a legacy fight. It’s an origin story that defines the transition of women’s MMA. Today, women’s fights drive revenue, expand the sport globally, and will impact the next generation of women athletes.
