In the world of mixed martial arts, there are few rivalries that are as highly anticipated and talked about as the one between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. These two fierce competitors have a long history of animosity and have faced off in the cage before, with Rousey emerging as the victor. Now, as they prepare to meet once again on May 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Rousey has pulled out all the stops in her training camp, including enlisting the help of her former rival’s coach, Ricky Lundell.
Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has always been known for her intense dedication and willingness to go to extreme lengths to secure a victory. And for this upcoming fight against Carano, she has taken her determination to a whole new level. The news of Rousey seeking out Lundell’s expertise has sent shockwaves through the MMA community, with many wondering what this unexpected alliance could mean for the outcome of the highly anticipated fight.
For those who may not be familiar with Lundell, he is a highly respected coach and has worked with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Jon Jones and Holly Holm. But what makes this partnership even more intriguing is the fact that Lundell was once the coach of Carano, the very same opponent that Rousey faces on May 16. This adds an interesting layer to the story and has fans wondering how Rousey and Lundell’s paths crossed once again.
In a recent interview, Rousey opened up about her decision to bring Lundell on board, stating, “I have always had a lot of respect for Ricky and the work he does with his fighters. When I approached him about joining my training camp, he was hesitant at first, understandably so. But after some discussions and getting to know each other better, we realized that our ultimate goal was the same – to defeat Gina Carano.”
It may seem surprising that Rousey would turn to someone who was once her rival’s coach, but it just goes to show her determination and willingness to do whatever it takes to secure a victory. Rousey and Carano have a long-standing history, with Rousey defeating Carano in their first encounter via armbar in 2014. However, Carano has since come out of retirement and is looking better than ever, posing a formidable challenge for Rousey.
But with Lundell by her side, Rousey believes she has the edge she needs to come out on top once again. “I know that Gina and Ricky have a strong bond, but so do me and my coach, Edmond Tarverdyan. We were once mortal enemies in the cage, but now we have a mutual respect and understanding. I believe that Ricky and I can have that same kind of dynamic, and it will only make me a better fighter,” Rousey stated.
The news of Rousey and Lundell’s partnership has not gone unnoticed by Carano and her team. However, they remain unfazed and confident in their abilities. In a recent interview, Carano’s coach, Mike Winkeljohn, said, “Ronda can do whatever she wants in her training camp, but at the end of the day, it will be Gina who steps into that cage and takes home the win.”
The buzz surrounding this fight has only intensified with Rousey’s unexpected training camp addition. And no matter which side fans are on, one thing is for sure – this is a fight that nobody wants to miss. Both Rousey and Carano are incredible athletes, and with the added element of Lundell’s involvement, the stakes have never been higher.
As for Rousey, she remains focused and determined. She knows that this fight is not just about defeating her rival, but also about proving to herself and the world that she is still the best in the game. And with Lundell by her side, she is more motivated than ever to come out on top.
On May 16, all eyes will be on the Intuit Dome as Rousey and Carano step into the cage once again. And with the unexpected partnership between Rousey and Lundell, there is no telling what kind of fireworks we can expect. But one thing is for sure – it will be a fight for the ages, and Rousey