Ronda Rousey’s former rivals react to 17-second win over Gina Carano

If you were distracted for even a heartbeat on Saturday night, you missed the headline-grabbing return of Ronda Rousey. In a clash of icons, Rousey needed only 17 seconds to secure a victory over Gina Carano, reminding fans exactly why she once dominated the sport.

A Swift Return

Rousey, now holding a record of 13-2, wasted absolutely no time. Immediately after the opening bell, she charged across the cage to tackle Carano. With clinical precision, she transitioned into her trademark armbar to end the contest before it truly began. The win quickly drew reactions from across the MMA world, including comments from Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes, who have long histories with Rousey.

Artistry in the Cage

Despite the brevity of the fight, Rousey described the performance as a work of art. Speaking after the match per The Associated Press, Rousey noted, “I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible. I didn’t really want to hurt her. Luckily it was beautiful martial arts, that’s what I think that was. It was art.”

When pressed on whether she considered extending the fight to savor the moment after years away, Rousey kept things simple: “Hell no. My husband and my kids are watching me. I don’t want to put them through anything more than I have to.”

Perspective from Carano

For Carano, the night ended much faster than the 17-year layoff suggested it might. Despite the quick finish, the atmosphere remained respectful as both fighters hugged and raised each other's arms. Carano admitted the frustration of the short duration, stating, “I wanted that to last longer. I felt so ready. I’ve never felt that good. But I haven’t been here for 17 years... and I wanted to hit her.”

205focus.com notes that The Associated Press contributed to this report.