Issue 045
January 2009
Female MMA has certainly come a long way in the last couple of years. Originally nothing more than a passing curiosity, the sport has secured its legitimate place in the world, even appearing on primetime television under the EliteXC banner. This is largely due to the efforts of one woman – Gina ‘Conviction’ Carano.
Despite her flawless 7-0-0 record, the Xtreme Couture fighter has seen numerous ups and downs throughout her two-year MMA career, as she fought an up-hill battle for legitimacy in the eyes of fans, journalists, and the mainstream media.
“It’s always been highs and lows,” says Carano. “You know, both extremes. For a while, no one would write a good article about me, no matter how well I was doing. But I’m a tough girl. I know I’m gonna be hot for one second, then cold the next.”
Following a string of amazing tilts, including four dominating performances in EliteXC, the Muay Thai stylist has not only silenced her critics but has also proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that girls can in fact fight. “People say I fight like a guy,” says Carano. “I don’t fight like a guy. I fight like a girl. This is how girls fight.”
With performances worthy of ‘fight of the night’, Carano has even shaken the beliefs of UFC President Dana White, regarded by many as one of the hardest critics of female MMA. Female fights in the world’s top MMA promotion? Thanks to Carano, it may happen sooner than expected. “A couple of years ago he [Dana White] was saying women have no place in the cage,” says Carano. “Now he’s softened up his stance. He’s saying he’d like to do female fights, but there’s not enough good female fighters. He’s softening up, so who knows what’ll happen in the next year or so.”
With EliteXC now defunct, Carano will soon be engaged in yet another up-hill struggle, as her contract and future lies in limbo. Whether her contract is transferable or not is the subject of legal debate, but promoters can rest assured that wherever Carano goes, fans will surely follow.
The Muay Thai specialist has become more than a fighter; she’s also a symbol, and a hot commodity. Her popularity and fan base could breathe life into any female division, or even help a promoter build one from scratch, with Carano as the centrepiece. Simply put, for any organisation that wants to expand into female MMA, Carano’s contract is a must-have. Unfortunately, with the current state of EliteXC, it may be some time before we see the 26-year-old back
in action.
“I don’t really know what’s happening,” says Carano. “It’s a standstill. I think EliteXC’s gonna sell all of the fighters’ contracts, mine included. But when one door closes, another one opens. I’m sure we’ll find a new platform for female fights. It’s definitely proven to be popular.”
In the meantime, Carano will be keeping busy with a variety of side projects, including film, TV (including a potential third season comeback as ‘Crush’, a female gladiator in NBC’s revival of American Gladiators), and even video game appearances. “I’m going to L.A to meet with a couple of directors,” says Carano. “Gonna do some photo shoots too. I need something to keep me busy while this contract mess gets sorted out.”
But despite these distractions, Carano makes it clear that her focus will always be on fighting. Though there may not be much competition left stateside, she is looking overseas for potential challengers. Brazil, Russia, and Japan are full of highly regarded female fighters, many of whom Carano will surely meet in the future. In fact, she’s already got her next opponent in mind.
“Cyborg! [Cristiane Santos]” says Carano. “I want to make that fight happen. My people are in touch with her, so we’re going to make sure we sign together, for the same promotion. It’s a dream fight.”
Brazilian Cristiane Santos (wife of Chute Boxe standout Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos) could very well be Carano’s greatest challenger yet. The fact that both fighters are looking to sign for the same promotion presents a win-win situation for MMA promoters and the women, at least in financial terms. But is the match-up too risky for Carano? With her dangerous Muay Thai and hyper-aggressive style, Santos presents a very real threat to ‘the face of female MMA’, but it’s a threat that Carano willingly embraces.
“I have to fight the best,” says Carano. “If I’m gonna be the face of female MMA, it means I’ve got to take on all challengers. A fight like this is very motivating. I really need to have that something to look forward to – a goal. When I know I’ve got a tough fight in three months, it makes me focus and work hard.”
Though female MMA has been around for years, it wasn’t until Gina Carano came along that it really found a place in the public mind. Top fighter, ambassador, spokesperson, symbol; these are all roles that Carano plays, and she plays them very well. But while her conviction may have played the dominant part in her success, the Texas native is quick to give credit where it’s due. “I’ve got to say thank you to the fans,” says Carano. “Ultimately, the fans are the reason I’m where I’m at today.”
Gina Carano...
On Affliction
“There’s a bit of a barrier between me and Affliction, you know, with Randy Couture and that whole thing. But if they approach me with an offer, who knows? I heard they want to sign Cyborg.”
In Response to the UFC
“It’s not an issue of there not being enough female fighters. Okay, there are not as many as men, but there are enough to build a division.”
On Fighting Japan’s Best
“I would love to fight some of the Japanese girls. If I’m going to be the face of female MMA, I’ve got to fight the best, even if it’s on another level there.”
