Rousey vs. Carano is more than another prizefight

"Back when Rousey was the biggest star in the MMA, she achieved that stardom -- and the lucrative earnings that came with it -- by being the most dominant fighter in the sport, man or woman. In 2011, the same year that CEO Dana White said women would "never" fight in the UFC, "Rowdy Ronda" made her pro debut and launched a run of 12 consecutive finishes, all but one in the first round."

"If you find yourself being entertained by a ferocious fight between two women inside an MMA cage, you can thank two different women who have not been inside an MMA cage for a decade or more. Ronda Rousey was singularly responsible for women fighting in the UFC. Gina Carano was largely responsible for women's MMA being seen in the first place."

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano reemerge for a May 16 bout in Inglewood that carries historic weight because of their pioneering roles in women's MMA. Rousey propelled women into the UFC through overwhelming dominance, with a streak of 12 consecutive finishes and many first-round endings that showcased her signature armbar. Carano helped make women's MMA visible earlier, participating in Strikeforce's first major women's bout and the first televised women's fight. Both fighters come from long retirements—Rousey last competed in 2016 and Carano in 2009—making the matchup more a spectacle than an elite competitive meeting.

Read at ESPN.com