When women's MMA is mentioned, many people's minds immediately go to Ronda Rousey, the UFC's trailblazing champion who helped catapult women's MMA into the mainstream. However, before Rousey's rise to fame, Gina Carano was widely regarded as the face of women's MMA. Her pioneering career in the sport helped pave the way for future generations of female fighters. With her unique blend of athleticism, technique, and charisma, Carano quickly became a fan favorite and a household name in the MMA world.
Gina Carano's entry into MMA was preceded by a successful Muay Thai career, which she began under the guidance of her then-boyfriend Kevin Ross, a professional Muay Thai fighter. With a Muay Thai record of 12-1-1, Carano transitioned to MMA and quickly made a name for herself. She won her first MMA fight in just 38 seconds against Leiticia Pestova with World Extreme Fighting, one of the earliest sanctioned female MMA bouts in Nevada. Carano continued her winning streak, knocking out Rosi Sexton in the second round at the World Pro Fighting show in Las Vegas.
As one of the first women to gain widespread recognition in the sport, Carano's impact on women's MMA cannot be overstated. She was a true trailblazer, breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes along the way. Her success in the cage helped demonstrate that women could compete at a high level, paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
On August 15, 2009, Gina Carano faced Cris Cyborg for the Strikeforce Women's Championship, at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg. Carano, who was 7-0-0 going into the fight, was looking to continue her undefeated streak. However, she lost the fight by TKO at 4:59 in the first round, marking her first professional MMA loss. The title was initially called the Strikeforce Women's Lightweight Championship, despite being a 145-pound division (typically referred to as featherweight), and was later renamed the Strikeforce Women's Middleweight Championship. Carano never fought again.
She was slated to return to Strikeforce and her return was officially announced in February 2011. She was set to face Sarah D'Alelio on June 18, 2011, at the Overeem vs. Werdum event in Dallas. However, the plans fell through. Initially, Strikeforce claimed Carano failed her pre-fight medical exam, but it was later revealed she was medically cleared and removed from the card for other reasons.
Carano considered an MMA comeback in April 2014, and UFC President Dana White tried to sign a dream fight between her and Ronda Rousey for December 2014, but it never happened as contract talks stalled. Carano hasn't competed since 2009 and has four fights left on her UFC contract, which was inherited from her Strikeforce deal. Interestingly, Carano has not been a playable fighter in the UFC video games.
After leaving MMA, Carano shifted her focus to acting, landing a notable role as Cara Dune in the popular Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. However, her stint was cut short when she was fired in February 2021 due to controversy surrounding her social media posts.
Gina Carano's influence on women's MMA is still felt today, and her legacy continues to inspire new fighters and fans alike. She may not have been the only factor in the growth of women's MMA, but she was undoubtedly a key figure in its development.
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