UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier dismissed the idea that the Netflix MMA fight headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano can compete with the UFC’s Freedom 250 Card at the White House on June 14.
Rousey and Carano will fight in a five-round featherweight clash. Rousey hasn’t fought since 2016, while Carano has been away from the cage since 2009. The card also includes Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry and Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins. It will stream live on Netflix globally to over 325 million Netflix subscribers, making it the most accessible MMA event in history.
In contrast, the UFC’s White House event will celebrate the U.S. 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 80th birthday. UFC lightweight champion Topuria will headline against Justin Gaethje. The Octagon will be constructed on the South Lawn of the White House, a visual that Cormier argues “cannot be topped by any arena in the world.” While the South Lawn audience is exclusive, the 85,000-fan watch party at The Ellipse offers fans a unique viewing experience. Cormier felt that Rousey vs. Carano could not compete.
“Nothing is ever going to be the UFC. It just won’t happen, but at least there it seems like it’s real. A real event on a real platform that gives these people an ability to not only make a living, but have people tune in. It’s free. It’s Netflix, one of the biggest platforms in the world. … I think what they’ve done with this Carano-Rousey card is made a real place for people to fight outside of the UFC.