Gina Carano Reveals Dana White's Apology & Fight Offer Before Ronda Rousey Netflix Bout

MMA pioneer Gina Carano has disclosed that her long-anticipated confrontation with Ronda Rousey is finally set to happen, a development that surprisingly coincided with UFC CEO Dana White privately apologizing to her and even extending a fight offer. This all unfolds before their historic main event on Netflix.

The Journey to the Ronda Rousey Fight

Carano, who holds a 7-1 professional MMA record and has been inactive since 2009, is gearing up to face former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Their bout will headline Netflix's inaugural live MMA card on May 16, taking place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event, co-promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, will be available to Netflix subscribers without additional cost and is scheduled at featherweight (145 pounds).

According to Carano, Rousey was the primary driver in bringing this long-speculated matchup to fruition. Carano explained, "From my perspective, the ball was basically in Ronda’s court of like what she wanted to do and where she wanted to take the fight and ultimately I think the fight went where she wanted it to go." She previously stated that Rousey personally approached her, asserting that Carano was the "only one person" she wished to return to fighting against.

Dana White's Unexpected Call and Offer

Carano also recounted a surprising phone call from UFC CEO Dana White in December 2024. This outreach came during a challenging period for Carano, following her dismissal from Disney. She noted White's unexpected support: "He was one of the first text messages that said, 'Hey, you know, um it’s going to be okay.' You know, and I was like, ‘Dana White like is texting me?’" Reports indicate that during this call, White offered an apology and even proposed a fight, despite Carano's firm stance against returning to traditional MMA promotions. Carano described their relationship as having transformed from past tensions—stemming from a failed Rousey bout and "disgusting" messages during earlier negotiations—into a more respectful connection.

The Personal Apology: "He Got on His Knees"

An earlier, pivotal moment significantly altered Carano's perception of White. She described an instance where he approached her at an event while she was seated with her family. Carano clarified her account, stating, "He Knelt Down. He did! He could apologize and he did apologize. We were I was sitting at a table with my family… He got down on his knees. I was like, ‘Oh, wow.’ No, actually, no, he did. That’s respectful. Respectful. It was very nice."

The original friction between Carano and White dates back to 2014. During stalled negotiations for a potential Rousey fight, White allegedly sent Carano a message that read, "This b***h is effing us around." Carano initially believed the message was sent to her by mistake, but White reportedly confirmed it was intentional. This exchange, coupled with White publicly discussing negotiations after Carano had requested six months for preparation, reportedly shattered their trust and effectively scuttled the UFC's planned Rousey vs. Carano fight—until its revival by Netflix a decade later.

White's subsequent in-person apology at a family event, where he knelt to express remorse for his words and their aftermath, was a gesture Carano found respectful and indicative of his character. This historical context now underpins his more recent supportive outreach and fight offer, ahead of her highly anticipated Netflix return.