Today at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA, former UFC champion and Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey (12-2, 9 Submissions, 3 KOs) and combat sports trailblazer Gina Carano (7-1, 1 Submission, 3 KOs) met face to face for the final press conference ahead of their upcoming fight on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. This event will be professionally sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA with bouts contested over five, 5-minute rounds using 4oz gloves, inside a hexagon cage.
Joining them were combat sports icon Nate Diaz (22-13, 14 Submissions, 4 KOs) and the “King of Violence” Mike Perry (14-8, 11 KOs), lineal MMA heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (18–3, 13 KOs, 4 submissions) and Brazil’s Philipe Lins (18–5, 9 KOs, 4 submissions), and undercard fighters Salahdine Parnasse (22-2, 7 submissions, 4 KOs), Kenneth Cross (17-4, 5 submissions, 7 KOs), Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos (21-10, 1 submission, 15 KOs) and Robelis Despaigne (5-2, 5 KOs). And on the preliminary card: Namo Fazil (9-1, 3 submissions, 4 KOs), Jake Babian (6-1, 1 submission, 4 KOs), Adriano Moraes (21-6, 11 submissions, 4 KOs), Phumi Nkuta (11-0, 2 submissions, 2 KOs), Jason Jackson (19-6, 4 Submissions, 6 KOs), Jefferson Creighton (12-2-1, 3 submissions, 2 KOs), David Mgoyan (8-1, 1 submission, 5 KOs), Albert Morales (19-10, 6 submissions, 9 KOs), Aline Pereira (2-2), Jade Masson-Wong (3-2, 1 KO), Chris Avila (8-9, 2 submissions, 5 KOs) and Brandon Jenkins (16-11, 3 submissions, 11 KOs).
The blockbuster event marks a major moment in combat sports as MVP and Netflix expand their footprint into MMA following the historic success of their global boxing events and will stream live globally only on Netflix at no additional cost to its 325+ million members. The event brings together some of the most recognizable and dangerous fighters in the sport and features the most star power ever assembled on a single MMA fight card. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
See quotes below and view the full press conference on MVP’s YouTube channel HERE or Netflix’s YouTube channel HERE.
RONDA ROUSEY QUOTES
On her relationship with Gina Carano going into their fight:
I feel like however this goes, if she takes me out and puts me down on the canvas, I think that she’s going to be the first person to help me up. And if I take her down and tap her out, I’ll be the first person to help her up. You know, we don’t need to hate each other to be able to give each other our best.
On MVP putting fighters first:
I think it’s incredible that Jake and Nakisa made it a priority to to put the fighters first and to to give them more of the profit share. And, you know, I actually get to see some of those numbers now and it’s it’s incredible how giving they’ve been and how they really want to showcase the fighters first before anything else.
On her past with the UFC:
I owe Dana and the Fertittas immensely and I would be caught dead before you ever heard me say a bad thing about any of them.
On her definition of greatness in MMA:
Mine is making history, having a cultural impact, and influencing the future of the sport.
On her impact on MMA:
So now me and Gina are smashing the record for the most women have ever been paid in combat sports. And who’s to say we can’t parlay the success of this to me and her making a genre shattering martial arts film with Netflix after this? Who says the success of this fight can’t create the rival that UFC needs and give fighters the bargaining power that they’ve never had? Hell, if we knock this out of the park, I could become the face of MMA or the face of MVP in MMA and the most powerful figure in the sport since Dana. I am not chasing greatness, motherf****r I am greatness.
GINA CARANO QUOTES
On if she will be aggressive during her fight vs. Ronda Rousey:
There’s just not going to be a problem with the aggression at all.
On how she feels now that it’s almost fight night:
I’m just trying to relish every moment and not rush through it. I mean, I’m going to miss this so much, but it’s been so incredible to be back in the next martial arts community. I never thought I would be doing this after … Five years ago I gave up the dream, and then a turn of events and I’m so grateful to Ronda for bringing me back into this and just the people.
On her preparation for the fight:
I’ve worked so hard. My camp has been grueling on my body and my mind. I mean, I would have stopped probably 30 pounds ago if I didn’t have this goal. And having Ronda as the goal has gotten me out of bed every single morning.
On being inspired by Ronda Rousey:
I said in an interview a long time ago that one day the women that I inspire are going to inspire me right back. I just had no idea it was going to be Ronda Rousey.
On Ronda Rousey’s future in the business side of MMA:
I think Ronda would kill it as a promoter, as a matchmaker. I mean, she brings this magnetic energy of making big things happen and bringing people together.
NATE DIAZ QUOTES
On his thoughts before facing Mike Perry:
He looks good, man. He’s all ready to rock. Me, too.
On Mike Perry saying their fight will be a “car crash”:
Drive safely.
On his goals for facing Mike Perry:
I’m just trying to not f**k up and get the job done.
MIKE PERRY QUOTES
On his thoughts before facing Nate Diaz:
I’m very confident in all the work I’ve done and my fighting abilities. He looks like he’s in great shape from photos and videos I’ve seen. So, I’m ready to have a freaking battle for five rounds or 5 seconds. It don’t matter.
On his preparation for the fight:
I’m really looking forward to it. I put a ton of work in. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m ready to show that to everybody.
On what he expects from Nate Diaz:
So, you know, he’s coming throwing punches, too. We gonna be scrapping in the middle. and it could go anywhere. I know he has a lot of skills when we tie up and things like that. So, I’m excited to have a car crash.
FRANCIS NGANNOU QUOTES
On his plans to solidify his status as a heavyweight great by defeating Philipe Lins:
I think all the stars are aligned for me to prove that on Saturday night.
On being one of the best fighters in the heavyweight division:
I don’t think there’s a doubt about it, but if somebody have a doubt about it, I have to prove it on Saturday night.
On Jon Jones joining the event’s broadcast team:
If I see him around, I’ll give him some advice for business.
On potentially facing Jon Jones in the future:
I think if the condition was right, we could fight each other. He would be the most exciting fight in my career. I think that’s the only thing that will be holding me around for a long time hoping, maybe after my 50s, hoping that that fight could have happened.
PHILIPE LINS QUOTES
On his thoughts on public predictions for his fight vs. Francis Ngannou:
I think 99% of the people think that Francis is going to win this fight, but I’m training hard. I’m looking for a victory over him. It’s the best opportunity of my MMA career.
On his goal to defeat Francis Ngannou on Saturday night:
I desire it. And I’m going Saturday night for the win for sure.
SALAHDINE PARNASSE QUOTES
*Quotes translated to English from French.
On his ambitions:
My ambitions are to win my fight, to be the ultimate fighter, to let my technique speak and to show the world what I’m made of.
On his goals for the fight:
I want to show that I’m one of the best fighters in the world.
On his motivations for fighting on this card:
What encouraged me, motivated me to join is the nice deal that they offered me. It’s also to be part of a fight card with some of the top level athletes in the world and being able to to fight amongst the greatest name like Ngannou and Diaz who inspired me.
KENNETH CROSS QUOTES
On being overlooked:
I’m always overlooked, underestimated. He’s making his pro debut in America against the wrong one.
On public perception going into his fight vs. Salahdine Parnasse:
They think I lost because I don’t know how to grapple. That’s not the case. They’re going to find out this Saturday.
JUNIOR DOS SANTOS QUOTES
On his motivation to keep fighting:
Well, the motivation is to be here, to be part of it. I love this thing, man. I love to go there and put on a good show, trade some punches with the guys, you know. It’s good. It feels good and it makes me feel excited, you know? So that’s why I’m here.
ROBELIS DESPAIGNE QUOTES
On fighting after the UFC:
Well, after coming out of the UFC, I think that now I’m a more complete athlete and I can show the best of me now.
NAMO FAZIL QUOTES
On his upcoming fight vs. Jake Babian:
Just wait till Saturday, and what I’m going to do to this pretty boy.
JAKE BABIAN QUOTES
On his experience leading up to this fight:
Hey, I’m here at MVP and you’re going to find out Saturday night.
On Namo Fazil commentary before their fight:
This is your little moment of fame cause Saturday, believe me, it’s going to be a lot different.
ADRIANO MORAES QUOTES
On Phumi Nkuta replacing Muhammad Mokaev:
I want to say thank you to Phumi for stepping in this fight on short notice and making this fight happen.
On fighting in America:
I have built my career in Asia. So, I can’t wait to put on a show on this side of the world for everybody.
PHUMI NKUTA QUOTES
On stepping in to replace Muhammad Mokaev:
I’ll tell you right now, it wasn’t even a question to say yes. I want to say thank you to Nakisa for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime.
On facing Adriano Moraes:
I can’t wait to step in there and prove that I’m one of the best flyweights in the world, baby.
JASON JACKSON QUOTES
On fighting Jefferson Creighton:
First, I want to give all to God, and my opponent, as well, because without him, I would never be able to continue on feeding my family, and that’s what I’m out for. I’m going to feed my family.
JEFFERSON CREIGHTON QUOTES
On what fans should expect for Saturday night:
It’s hard to put into words just the magnitude of this moment, guys. For everybody up here, every fighter dreams about these kinds of moments, and I plan on capitalizing on Saturday night.
DAVID MGOYAN QUOTES
On his relationship with Armaan Tsarukyan and what fans will see on Saturday night:
Arman is my friend, my brother, I’ve trained with him since five years old, four, five years together. This guy, every day, helped me train together. Thanks, Arman, for helping me this opportunity. Thanks Jacob, MVP, Netflix. Thanks, guys.
ALBERT MORALES QUOTES
On competing on such a big card in his hometown:
First, I want to thank God for everything, for giving us this opportunity to be amongst all these champions, all these pioneers in the sport, elevating the sport….I got mixed emotions, a little bit. Honestly, I’m in my hometown, my home city. I’m fighting a foreigner from Florida, and I’m on the B-side. So, mixed emotions.But with that being said, I’m going to be able to fight, and display my work live, in front of the world, on Netflix. And I’m here to steal the show.
ALINE PEREIRA QUOTES
On being compared to her brother mixed martial artist Alex Pereira:
I’ve always done my work. I’ve always shown my work and that’s exactly what I’m going to do on Saturday.
JADE MASSON-WONG QUOTES
On fighting on the same card as Ronda Rousey:
That’s really crazy because when I started my amateur fight, I was looking at her, and now I fight on the same card so it’s amazing. It’s a great opportunity. I could not say no, and I’m just grateful to be here, and I take it 200%.
CHRIS AVILA QUOTES
On his current abilities:
I think I’m better than I was a lot lot long ago.
BRANDON JENKINS QUOTES
On facing off against Chris Avila:
Yeah. He’s got great hands. He’s got a real nice boxing style. My style is like 7-Eleven. I’m open all night, there’s lots of stuff, and ain’t none of it good for you. I think it’s going to be a scrap, for sure. This card is stacked, man. It feels like I went back in time in 2006. There’s like, so many bangers.
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