Issue 076
June 2011
The Muay Thai-trained middleweight is back with ‘Conviction’ as she aims to return to the big time and stake a claim for the Strikeforce women’s title
NEED TO KNOW
NAME Gina Carano
AGE 29
STARTED 2006
DIVISION Women’s Middleweight
STYLE Boxing, Muay Thai
Based Las Vegas, Nevada
RECORD 7-1-0
3 (T)KOs (42.86%)
1 Sub (14.29%)
3 Decisions (42.86%)
Like a rose that flourishes deadly thorns, Gina ‘Conviction’ Carano is both beautiful and dangerous. The Italian-American starlet has not only captured the heart of every red-blooded male MMA fan in America, but has also conquered and crushed the spirit of a brace of formidable female fighters who have dared to cross her path. Set to make her much-anticipated return under the now Zuffa-owned Strikeforce banner, Carano will regain her momentum prior to getting road blocked in 2009 by a devastating Cristiane Santos.
Carano rose to prominence after starring as ‘Crush’ for the US show American Gladiators. Holding a indomitable record of 7-1, the Texan-born fighter started her career in Muay Thai. After building a solid Thai fight record and making her pro MMA debut, Carano was offered to participate in the first ever sanctioned female MMA bout in Nevada against Fighters Only columnist Rosi Sexton. Carano’s power and stand-up were too strong for Sexton, and she went on to knock her out with a huge right hand in the second round. Carano again made history by taking on the well-respected kickboxer Elaina Maxwell in Strikeforce promotions’ first female fight. And again she emerged victorious, winning the fight by unanimous decision. Following a two-year winning streak, fighting for the now defunct EliteXC, Strikeforce eagerly welcomed her back to fight Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Santos for the women’s middleweight (145lb) championship. The powerfully superior Cyborg proved too strong for Carano, delivering a total of 12 clubbing punches to her head, forcing the referee to stop the fight with just a second left of the opening round.
After nearly a two-year movie-acting hiatus from Strikeforce, Carano is set to fight again and fans are sure to anticipate a potential rematch with Cyborg. Whether 2011 is or isn’t Carano’s year, she’s a rare and valued addition to any promotion’s roster: bringing dignity, grace and, perhaps most of all, brutality.
Muay Thai
After Carano’s ex-boyfriend, Kevin Ross, a professional Muay Thai fighter, introduced her to the sport she would quickly elevate the international rankings developing a pro record of 12-1-1. Not only can she deliver powerful kicks with clinical precision, she is dangerous in the clinch with unpredictable elbows.
Charisma
While there is no doubt Carano’s fighting skills have got her as far in the MMA game as she is today, her charm and charisma have certainly helped. Carano was ranked number five
on the ‘Top Ten Inspirational Women Of 2008’ list on Yahoo and by May 2008 she was the fastest-rising search on Google and the third most searched person on Yahoo!
Youth
Carano is still only in her 20s and still has time to refine her fight game. If she can improve her wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills, and become more well rounded, she will be a force to be reckoned with.
Career Snapshot
2006
Makes professional MMA debut aged 24, defeating Leiticia Pestova by knockout in 39 seconds.
2007
Defeats Tonya Evinger by rear naked choke in the EliteXC promotion to go 5-0 as a professional fighter.
2008
Defeats Kelly Kobold by unanimous decision; her final fight for the EliteXC promotion. At this point she remains unbeaten in seven fights.
2009
Loses a Strikeforce title fight to Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Santos via TKO; the first loss of her career. She decides to take some time out from MMA.
2011
Announces plans for a return to Strikeforce, which is now Zuffa owned. She currently has the opportunity to show the world her ability on a much bigger stage.
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