Ronda Rousey has crushed Michael Irvin’s MMA plans

Earlier this week, on Saturday, May. 16, 2026, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano made their long-awaited MMA return. At Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Rousey faced against Carano under Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The fight was streamed live on Netflix. In the main event, Rousey and Carano clashed, with the former WWE star defeating Carano in under 20 seconds with a submission.

The moment soon became a talking point on the internet and displayed Rousey’s dominance in the sport. Shortly after, 60-year-old Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin reflected on his MMA aspirations from almost nine years ago.

Nearly a decade ago, Irvin spoke with Mike Babcock about wanting to fight in MMA. “Man, I trained MMA. I want to do it, man. I wanna get there one time, man. My wife said, I am here mule. She can’t have her mule out there getting hurt. I gotta go bring her money. So, I can’t. She won’t let me do it.”

However, just days before Rousey’s return, Irvin caught a glimpse of Rousey training hard for it, which immediately crushed his hopes.

Speaking to TMZ Sports after seeing Rousey’s workout at Venice Beach, Irvin said, “I am watching this and it makes me feel like I could jump right in and take a fight. But let me tell you something, and then I saw Ronda [Rousey] on the mat … s***, boy, s*** I better not get in that ring with someone moving around like that,” Irvin said.

“Man, it is amazing watching her up close like this — work that transitioning game on the mat like that. I don’t know anybody in fighting period, even now to this day, that has that ability. That’s scary … she’s a beast,” he added. (via TMZ Sports).

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