At one time, former EliteXC and Strikeforce fighter Gina Carano was known as “The Face of Women’s MMA”. Carano was unbeaten, gorgeous, and decidedly vicious in the cage, with a 7-0 flawless record that included four finishes with two first-round stoppages. Then, of course, Carano met Cristiane Santos in the first-ever MMA event headlined by a women’s MMA fight, and hasn’t fought since. But that’s about to change, as it’s recently been revealed that Carano is back in training and is more than likely planning a major comeback.
It was recently announced on the official blog of Xtreme Couture that Carano is back in the gym. Carano has been inactive since August 2009, and in the same vein as Cung Le, Roger Huerta, and others, Carano spent her time outside the cage focusing on developing a film career. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has expressed interest in getting Carano back in the cage several times during her absence from the sport.
When it comes to Gina Carano, I really can’t say too many negative things about the woman. Some cynics say that Carano was just a pretty face and that “Cyborg” Santos proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I don’t think so and I’m a massive Cristiane Santos fan. Remember, my saying regarding Santos/Carano is “while Gina Carano may be the face of women’s MMA, Cristiane Santos is its soul.”
That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see Carano back in the cage, though. I think Carano paved the way for women’s MMA to slowly begin entering the mainstream. I also think that the ends justifies the means: even if it was just because of how she looks, she still helped grow and bring attention to the sport in general and women’s MMA in particular.
I don’t think one loss, however big, makes or breaks your career. I think any fighter can make an epic comeback if given the right amount of time, focus, tough training, and dedication. In today’s MMA world, truly anything is possible. And there’s certainly more than enough room in Strikeforce’s 145-pound women’s division to give Carano another chance at championship relevancy.
Carano isn’t even that bad of a fighter, either. She’s very entertaining, she hits hard, and she can definitely take a good punch. Plus, it’s always possible that she could return, go on another win-streak, and then challenge Cristiane Santos for a second time. That would probably be the biggest rematch in women’s MMA history, and it would almost certainly put both women back in the main event of a major Strikeforce show.
So, love her or hate her, I think you’ve simply got to respect Gina Carano. I’m glad she’s coming back to the sport, and I look forward to seeing what Carano does to reassert herself in the division she helped make famous. I think Carano is an important piece of the puzzle: “Cyborg” Santos brings women’s MMA credibility, Carano brings it marketability. And both are important for a division of MMA that’s only just gotten on the mainstream’s radar.
And what about you, fans and friends? Any thoughts on Gina Carano and her possible future as she attempts an MMA comeback?
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@Takeshi
I’m only referencing the Carano cynics who jumped all over her after she lost to “Cyborg”, the ones that accused her of only ever being a pretty face and nothing more. I actually think Carano is a very respectable fighter that’s very tough in the cage. Anyone can get KO’d or TKO’d by “Cyborg” Santos, she’s proved that beyond a doubt during her American MMA career.
Good article, but I take umbrage w/ the “Carano isn’t even that bad of a fighter..” line. Are you saying she is a bad fighter? I’ve heard no such (accredited) contention other than the 2x she blew weight, of which such a claim is justified. Her set of opponents prior to Cyborg are of clearly higher stature than anyone else’s shy of a tie w/ Amanda Nunes’. I don’t see any exposing in her past or coming her way. (ex. being outstruck by a small grappler -Frausto/Aguilar)
I’m selfishly very pleased Carano is back. Selfishly because I don’t take the punishment of training & getting hit…she does.
Anyway, I just want people to know that I don’t have any martial arts training or belts at all but I have been watching every martial arts tournament I can find online for 5 years now…male & female.
Which brings me to my next point: I saw that in Crissy’s & Gina’s match Carano was on top twice early on & gave up whatever advantages came with that. Now I don’t know what I’m talking about, but the fact that Carano was on top TWICE is a sign to me that a rematch would be exciting.
I hope I don’t sound too stupid. But what I do know is that the level of excitement for the Crissy vs Gina match was…AMAZING! I was sitting on my couch when they touched gloves…by the end I was smacking the ceiling lights with my shoes. That’s the kind of stuff that brings in money & ratings.
I think the timing is the most interesting of all things. Carano was the most dominant at one point. Now Santos is most dominant.
I appreciate the great response, I feel the same way entirely.
I apologize if asking “what do you think” at the end of every article is annoying, but asking for people’s opinions at the end of every story kinda comes with the territory. I use it to try and foster debate and discussion. I don’t want people to think that I just let my opinions out there and no one can comment on it because I think myself too high and mighty. If you’ve got an opinion I’d love to hear it, and I like to encourage everyone to do so at the end of my articles.
I hate how you always ask “what do you think” at the end of articles. However I can’t agree more with your sentiments that I have never properly put into words. I too am a fan of both Carano and Santos. The point that you made about Santos being the “soul” and Carano the “face” of women’s MMA could not be more astute.
Women’s MMA needs both of these women to be accepted for it to survive. Carano needs to be taken seriously, as more than just a pretty face. She needs to be finally seen for the skilled, strong and athletic fighter that she is who happens to look good in a bikini. Santos needs to be accepted for her feminine side (seeing her crying for her husband may have humanized her to some). She needs to be able to show that a woman can have an athletic physique and still be a woman. They both play an important role in the dichotomy of women’s athletics as a whole.
Hello Gina
I am a huge fan of you and love you dearly with the sport,I was crying when you first loss
I can not wait for you to come back soon enough for the Sport , I really believe in you with your skill and talent, please turn up your training by 5-10 knot power and stamina.
use speed and be on your bike in the ring with her (Santos), do not stand still to brawl and trade punch with her, speed and smart tactic is the key good luck and wish you all the best