MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs. Carano results, analysis

Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in her return to MMA on Saturday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. theScore's Nick Baldwin provided live results and analysis throughout the entire MVP MMA 1 main card.

📌 Jump to: Perry's TKO | Ngannou's KO | Parnasse's TKO | Despaigne's KO | Prelim results

Rousey submits Carano in 17 seconds

UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey made quick work of Gina Carano in the MVP MMA 1 main event, submitting Carano with an armbar in 17 seconds.

Rousey returned to MMA for the first time since December 2016 and earned her first victory since August 2015. After the fight, the 39-year-old confirmed she's going back into retirement.

For more, tap here!

Who ya got in the main event?

Perry pummels Diaz

Mike Perry defeated former UFC star Nate Diaz via TKO (corner stoppage) in the co-main event.

Referee Mike Beltran stopped the fight between the second and third rounds after Perry battered Diaz with heavy punches.

For more, tap here!

Ngannou scores quick KO

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou scored a ferocious knockout of Philipe Lins in his first fight since October 2024.

The finish came at the 4:31 mark of the first round.

For more, tap here!

Parnasse shines in TKO of Cross

Former KSW two-division champion Salahdine Parnasse put a beating on Kenny Cross in their lightweight bout, scoring a TKO finish at the 4:18 mark of the first round.

Parnasse was a level above Cross from start to finish. He got on top and pummeled his opponent with ground-and-pound before ending the fight with a brutal body shot on the feet.

Parnasse, a 28-year-old Frenchman, is one of the top fighters from Europe. He improved to 23-2 as a professional and is now riding a five-fight winning streak. This was his first fight in North America.

Cross, a Bellator and Dana White's Contender Series alum, fell to 17-5 as a pro.

Despaigne sleeps Dos Santos

Robelis Despaigne scored a vicious knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos to kick off the main card.

Despaigne landed a three-punch combination - capped off by a devastating right hand - that sent Dos Santos crashing to the canvas. The finish came at the 2:59 mark of the first round.

Despaigne improved to 6-2 in professional MMA with the victory. The 37-year-old Cuban stepped into the cage for the first time in two years after winning seven straight bouts under the Karate Combat banner.

Despaigne fought three times in the UFC in 2024, producing a 1-2 record.

👊 Bet on MVP MMA 1 with theScore Bet here

Pre-fight notes

Rousey and Carano are two of the most important figures in women's MMA history. Rousey was the inaugural UFC women's bantamweight champion and defended the title six times between 2013 and 2015 before losing to Holly Holm in an all-time upset. Her fight against Holm at UFC 193 still holds claim to the second-highest attendance in UFC history. Rousey retired from MMA after a loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016 and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

Carano helped pioneer women's MMA in the late 2000s. Her 2007 win over Julie Kedzie in the now-defunct EliteXC promotion was the first women's MMA bout to be broadcast on live television. Carano was also involved in the inaugural Strikeforce women's featherweight title bout in 2009, suffering a knockout loss to Cris Cyborg in what remains her most recent fight to date.

Here's a look at the MVP MMA 1 main card, plus results from the prelims:

Main card (Netflix at 9 p.m. ET)

• Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
• Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry
• Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins
• Salahdine Parnasse vs. Kenny Cross
• Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne

Preliminary card (YouTube at 6 p.m. ET)

• Namo Fazil def. Jake Babian via submission (D'Arce choke) at 0:57 of Round 2
• Adriano Moraes def. Phumi Nkuta via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:59 of Round 3
• Jason Jackson def. Jeff Creighton via knockout (punch) at 0:22 of Round 1
• David Mgoyan def. Albert Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
• Aline Pereira def. Jade Masson-Wong via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 28-28)
• Brandon Jenkins def. Chris Avila via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.