Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Required to Undergo 'Extensive' Testing Ahead of MMA Comeback Fight

Given their age and injury history, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will need to undergo extensive medical and neurological testing prior to their May 16 MMA fight, per ESPN's Jeff Wagenheim.

Rousey in particular will need to undergo concussion battery testing that is more extensive than that all combat sports athletes must undergo before fights.

"We're going to put her through neurological and concussion battery testing and make sure she's OK," California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster said. "We're going to have our doctors take a look. The fighters are going to have to do a lot of medicals, both of 'em."

Wagenheim noted Rousey, who is 39 years old and has not fought since 2016, appeared on Instagram Live two years ago and revealed her long concussion history from her time in judo and said she kept it from the UFC "because it would literally put a target on my head and I might not have been allowed to compete any farther."

Carano has not fought since 2009 and will be 44 years old on the day of the fight.

The California commission follows Association of Ringside Physicians recommendations for fighters who are over 40, per Wagenheim. That means fighters must undergo "a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac testing, an exercise stress echocardiogram, neurocognitive testing, blood work, metabolic panel and ophthalmologic eye exam."

ESPN's Andreas Hale reported the fight will consist of five five-minute rounds with four-ounce gloves at 145 pounds.

Despite their age and time away from the sport, Rousey and Carano are headline names and will face each other in a highly anticipated bout.

Rousey was the first female fighter signed to the UFC and defended the UFC women's bantamweight championship six different times. She also transitioned to WWE after her MMA career and became a three-time world champion.

Carano fought Cris Cyborg in 2009 in the first women's fight to headline a major MMA event. She, as well as Rousey, transitioned to acting after fighting.

The May 16 fight will happen at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.