Ronda Rousey returns to mixed martial arts in a Netflix event headlined by her fight against Gina Carano, a matchup promoted by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). Multiple outlets report that Netflix streams its first live MMA broadcast in the United States, with the event held Saturday in Inglewood, California. The card is described as a major test for the sport’s market beyond the UFC, and it is the first non-UFC MMA event promoted by MVP.
Viewership figures reported by the outlets are based on a mix of Netflix internal numbers and third-party measurement, including VideoAmp, with all accounts citing strong global and U.S. performance. Variety and Deadline say the event averages about 12.4 million viewers globally on a Live+1 basis, peaking at close to 17 million viewers. Inquirer.net adds that the United States peak reaches 11.6 million viewers and that the U.S. audience surpasses a prior MMA record set in 2011 for UFC on FOX 1.
The Independent and other coverage also highlight that the event features a double-comeback storyline, reflecting both fighters’ return to MMA competition.
