Ronda Rousey will be forced to pass extensive medical tests for Netflix return after concussion history

Ronda Rousey will be forced to face rigorous medical testing to be cleared for her fighting comeback live on Netflix in May.

The 39-year-old former UFC champion sent ripples through the MMA world this week when she announced her 10-year hiatus from the sport would be ending in 2026.

MVP

Her opponent, Gina Carano — who is widely recognised as having put the foundations in place for women to have a future fighting in the cage — will also be subject to the same tests.

Rousey has a long history of suffering concussions, having revealed to talkSPORT.com in 2024 that she got symptoms almost every time she took a punch toward the end of her MMA career.

‘Rowdy’ noted that her first UFC loss to Holly Holm in November 2015, which ended with her on the canvas after a vicious head kick, was its worst.

This came 13 months before Rousey was also knocked out by Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 — her last fight to date.

Ahead of the Netflix clash in Los Angeles, California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster has detailed the severe testing both women will undergo before being cleared to fight.

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano to undergo rigorous tests before Netflix clash

“We’re going to put [Rousey] through neurological and concussion battery testing and make sure she’s OK,” Foster told ESPN.

“We’re going to have our doctors take a look. The fighters are going to have to do a lot of medicals, both of ’em.

“As long as these women pass their medicals and pass all their neurological batteries and do the things they need to do, there’s nothing wrong with this fight.”

At 43 and having not fought since a stoppage defeat to Cris Cyborg in 2009, Carano will also be required to undergo the same rigorous testing.

ESPN reports that the California commission follows Association of Ringside Physicians’ recommendations for clearing fighters over 40 years old, meaning Carano will have to pass examinations like an MRI of the brain, cardiac and neurocognitive testing, and blood work, to name a few.

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Rousey vs Carano goes down on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles under the banner of Jake Paul‘s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).

‘Rodwy’ said she reached out to UFC CEO Dana White before signing with MVP after the idea to fight Carano emerged when she was pregnant with her second child.

The bout has been booked over five, five-minute rounds in the featherweight division at 145lbs, using 4oz MMA gloves.

It is also sanctioned under the unified rules of MMA and will take place in a hexagon, designed for more action and ultimately knockouts.

More fights for the Rousey vs Carano card, the first-ever Netflix MMA event, are to be announced at a later date.

UFC Schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s full UFC schedule.