Ronda Rousey's MMA return drew nearly 17M viewers for Netflix

The MMA bout between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano peaked at nearly 17 million global viewers and the three-fight main card averaged 12.4 million in its Netflix debut, according to the network and Most Valuable Promotions, it was announced on Tuesday.

In the United States, Rousey-Carano peaked at 11.6 million viewers, while the card averaged 9.3 million.

Rousey, 39, the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion, returned to the sport opposite Carano, 44, and won with her signature armbar only 17 seconds into the featherweight fight at Inglewood, Calif., on Saturday in Most Valuable Promotions' first MMA event.

A statement from Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founder of Most Valuable Productions read, in part, "We're incredibly proud of what was accomplished alongside our partners at Netflix and grateful to the athletes who helped make MVP MMA's debut such a success. We've received an overwhelming amount of interest from investors, strategic partners, and fighters who want to be involved with MVP and the future of MVP MMA.

"We are currently reviewing all strategic options to do something very meaningful within MMA on a go-forward basis with a distribution partner like Netflix that shares our vision to create lasting impact."

Netflix will broadcast the T-Mobile Home Run Derby in July 2026, along with an expanded lineup of 2026 NFL games and the global streaming of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

--Field Level Media/Reuters