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

If you were watching Saturday night’s highly anticipated double comeback bout, you had to keep your eyes peeled—otherwise, you might have missed it entirely. Ronda Rousey made quick work of Gina Carano, securing a victory with her signature armbar just 17 seconds after the opening bell.

A Swift Return to the Spotlight

Rousey (13-2) wasted no time, immediately charging across the cage to take down Carano. It was a masterclass in efficiency, as she quickly transitioned into her trademark finishing move. The decisive win sent shockwaves through social media, drawing reactions from fellow icons of the sport, including Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg, as reported by 205focus.com.

Reflecting on the Finish

Despite the brevity of the fight, Rousey viewed the performance as a display of technical brilliance. "I was hoping to come out as unscathed as possible," Rousey said, according to The Associated Press. "I didn’t really want to hurt her. Luckily it was beautiful martial arts, that’s what I think that was. It was art."

Rousey, who famously logged eight sub-minute victories during her dominant run in the 2010s, showed no interest in drawing out the spectacle. When asked if she considered prolonging the match for the sake of the fans, she dismissed the notion quickly: "Hell no. My husband and my kids are watching me. I don’t want to put them through anything more than I have to."

Grace in Defeat

For Carano, the night marked the end of a 17-year hiatus from professional fighting—one of the longest in sports history. Despite the swift outcome, the mood remained respectful as the two legends shared a post-fight hug and raised each other's arms in the center of the ring.

"I wanted that to last longer," Carano admitted. "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."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.