Ronda Rousey is gearing up for one of the most highly anticipated comeback fights in MMA history, but before stepping into the cage against Gina Carano at the first MMA event promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), she took time to teach Grammy-winning singer Kehlani some martial arts techniques for Netflix.
A new promotional clip released by Netflix on Instagram ahead of Saturday’s event shows Kehlani visiting Rousey’s Las Vegas training camp to learn fundamental MMA skills from the former UFC champion. What started as a fun crossover quickly turned into an intense crash course in controlled aggression, with ‘Rowdy’ instructing the Oakland artist on how to knock down opponents, apply an armbar, and stay calm while sending someone crashing to the mat.
The caption for the post perfectly captured the moment, referencing Kehlani’s Grammy-winning song “Folded”: “What happens when Kehlani trains with MMA legend Ronda Rousey? Let’s just say things un-Folded pretty quickly.”
The clip also shows Rousey teaching Kehlani several of her signature judo techniques, including throws, breakfalls, and the armbar that defined her storied UFC career. At one point, Rousey referred to the submission as her “family heirloom,” saying, “My mom taught me how to do this. This is a family heirloom I’m giving to you.”
For Netflix, this crossover is another step toward making the May 16 event feel like more than just a fight night. The streaming giant is positioning the Rousey vs. Carano bout as a cultural moment, blending combat sports with music, celebrity appearances, and nostalgia from two pioneers of women’s MMA. With Kehlani coming off a successful year with her self-titled album and Grammy wins, the collaboration adds mainstream appeal to what will be Netflix’s first major live MMA event.
Fans are absolutely loving the unexpected partnership. One fan wrote, “Guys, she’s in her MMA arc now,” while another added, “I’m so here for Kehlani’s combat girl era.” Others chimed in, stunned by how well she fit the training environment: “Now u must start watching MMA cause the next UFC champion may be Kehlani,” and “After seeing Kehlani in person, I can confirm that she is built like a superhero and can definitely do this s— irl.”
The randomness of the collaboration only made it more viral. A fan noted, “I didn’t have this collab on my bingo card 🥹,” and another said, “This is the most random thing I seen today.” More commented, “Kehlani and Rondaaaa Rouseyyy is wildddd,” “The most iconic duo link-up 🔥,” and “The collab I didn’t know I needed 🔥🔥🔥.”
This enthusiastic reaction is exactly what Netflix hoped for. The platform is no longer just selling the bout between Rousey and Gina Carano—Jake Paul’s MVP and the streaming giant are transforming the event into a larger entertainment spectacle that appeals to audiences beyond die-hard MMA fans. Based on how quickly this collaboration spread online, the formula appears to be working.
