Ronda Rousey made a triumphant return to mixed martial arts (MMA) after a nine-and-a-half-year absence, defeating Gina Carano with her signature armbar in an astonishing 17 seconds on Saturday night. The fight, which marked the return of two iconic figures in women's MMA, saw Rousey, now 39, quickly overpower the 44-year-old Carano, who hadn't competed in over 17 years.

Rousey, known for her lightning-fast finishes, wasted no time after the opening bell, charging and tackling Carano almost immediately. She then swiftly moved into position and applied her famous armbar, securing the fight's end. "I really didn't want to hurt her," Rousey said after the fight. "Luckily, it was just beautiful martial arts."

Rousey's career in MMA saw her win eight fights in under a minute during her meteoric rise in the 2010s, and she maintained her quick-strike approach in this comeback bout. When asked if she considered waiting longer to finish the fight, she laughed, "Hell no. My husband and my kids are watching me. I don't want to put them through anything more than I have to."

Despite the swift end, Carano remained positive, even hugging Rousey and sharing warm words after the fight. "I felt so ready," Carano said. "I've never felt that good. But I haven't been here for _17 years... and I wanted to hit her."

This comeback bout united two of the most important fighters in MMA's history. Rousey, who became one of the world's most famous athletes by winning the first women's title in the UFC, has repeatedly stated that this will be her final fight. Carano, whose athletic prowess and star power helped legitimize women's MMA in the late 2000s, remains uncertain about her future in the sport.