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It was hyped as the biggest event in UFC history — one that was expected to break every combat sports record.
And while UFC Freedom 250 did break company records — it was the biggest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history, peaking with 17 million viewers — it actually fell a little short of the numbers Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card did just weeks before.
Rousey-Carano also peaked with 17 million viewers and averaged 9.3 million viewers, well ahead of the Freedom 250 card, which averaged 8.2 million viewers.
Those ratings caught a lot of attention on social media, and it prompted a snarky response from Rousey herself about the UFC’s super card failing to upstage her farewell fight.
“Lmao! Kiss my [expletive] (UFC matchmaker) Hunter Campbell ,” Rousey posted on X.
Ronda Rousey celebrates after defeating Gina Carano by submission in their featherweight bout during the main card of Netflix’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)
Rousey hasn’t been shy in calling out the UFC since she left the company years ago. She’s still on friendly terms with president Dana White, but that hasn’t stopped Rousey from taking public shots at her former employer any chance she gets.
While MVP’s ratings are an impressive feat, they were likely inflated due to the immense hype around Rousey’s possible retirement fight and Carano’s return. The 44-year-old Carano hadn’t fought in 17 years after suffering her first career loss to Cyborg Santos back in 2009.
Rousey finished Carano via armbar in just 17 seconds in their main event fight back in May. It pushed her MMA record to 13-2 and snapped a two-fight losing streak.
The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer cut her teeth in Strikeforce but became a household name in the UFC, compiling a 6-2 record with women’s bantamweight championship wins over Liz Carmouche, Miesha Tate , Sara McMann, Alexis Davis, Cat Zingano, and Bethe Correia.
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And while UFC Freedom 250 did break company records — it was the biggest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history, peaking with 17 million viewers — it actually fell a little short of the numbers Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card did just weeks before.
Rousey-Carano also peaked with 17 million viewers and averaged 9.3 million viewers, well ahead of the Freedom 250 card, which averaged 8.2 million viewers.
Those ratings caught a lot of attention on social media, and it prompted a snarky response from Rousey herself about the UFC’s super card failing to upstage her farewell fight.
“Lmao! Kiss my [expletive] (UFC matchmaker) Hunter Campbell ,” Rousey posted on X.
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Ronda Rousey celebrates after defeating Gina Carano by submission in their featherweight bout during the main card of Netflix’s Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)
Rousey hasn’t been shy in calling out the UFC since she left the company years ago. She’s still on friendly terms with president Dana White, but that hasn’t stopped Rousey from taking public shots at her former employer any chance she gets.
While MVP’s ratings are an impressive feat, they were likely inflated due to the immense hype around Rousey’s possible retirement fight and Carano’s return. The 44-year-old Carano hadn’t fought in 17 years after suffering her first career loss to Cyborg Santos back in 2009.
Rousey finished Carano via armbar in just 17 seconds in their main event fight back in May. It pushed her MMA record to 13-2 and snapped a two-fight losing streak.
The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer cut her teeth in Strikeforce but became a household name in the UFC, compiling a 6-2 record with women’s bantamweight championship wins over Liz Carmouche, Miesha Tate , Sara McMann, Alexis Davis, Cat Zingano, and Bethe Correia.
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- Justin Gaethje Advised by Former Champ to Retire After UFC Freedom 250
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