Gina Carano’s coach insists her return against Ronda Rousey is not a cash grab.
The bout will headline a Netflix event on May 16 under Most Valuable Promotions.
The fight marks Carano’s first appearance since 2009.
Rousey has not competed in MMA since 2016, when Amanda Nunes stopped her.
Both are considered pioneers of women’s MMA.
Coach John Wood said he always asks fighters their motivation before committing.
He stated Carano wants to win, not simply collect a payday.
He said the “fire is there” and the team is fully focused on victory.
The matchup surprised many observers who expected it under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner.
Rousey revealed she contacted Dana White about staging the bout in the UFC.
Those discussions did not lead to a deal.
Instead, the long-awaited showdown will stream on Netflix in 2026.
Wood says both women genuinely want to compete again, not just headline a spectacle.
