Given the opportunity to choose, how many professional mixed martial artists would pick making movies over fighting in the cage or ring? Gina Carano is one such fighter, after deciding to move on from competition and return to the silver screen in her second action film role.
However, it seems like on a weekly basis one media outlet or another publishes a story about Carano’s impending return to mixed martial arts and whom she should be facing. Near the end of 2010 we were told to expect Carano back in the Strikeforce Hexagon sometime in 2011. A date was even set for February, but she was yanked from the card for reasons that were never explained. Fans and MMA writers were left to speculate why she was removed from the fight, but without an official explanation for her removal, many fans could only rely upon vague hopes that their favorite female athlete would someday make her way back to the sport that ignited her rise to fame.
Yet, Carano has decided to take what some may consider the smart business approach and stick with making movies. Her large screen debut, “Haywire,” was released on January 20th, and since that date has since brought in more than 24 million dollars. The movie has received some positive reviews for its action sequences, and it seems as if a star in Carano has been born. On Tuesday it was announced that she has been cast in another action film, titled “In The Blood,” which is set to begin filming later this year. That announcement effectively removed any hope that she will return to fighting at any point in the near future, if at all.
To be honest, I think she should continue making movies and stay away from competing in MMA. It seems as if some individuals fail to remember her last outing in the cage, when Cristiane Santos dominated her to claim the Strikeforce Women’s 145-pound title. There was nothing Carano could do to mount offense against “Cyborg,” and that defeat effectively ran her out of the sport. Outside of being a spokesperson for women’s MMA, I believe that her time as the main “Face” of the sport has passed. However, I believe she would be a great resource as a spokeswoman for WMMA. She knows how to promote the sport and as her following as a movie star grows; more people who learn about her background can potentially become interested in mixed martial arts. Her rise to fame does not hinder WMMA in any way.
With Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey set to face off on March 3rd in what will be the biggest women’s fight since Carano–Santos, one of those two individuals is poised to take the reins from Carano. Especially with the eyes of Zuffa executives watching very closely. Where would she fit in if she decided to come back and compete full time? I find it hard to believe that she would be able to defeat any of the top fighters in the women’s 145-pound division (such as Rousey or Santos), so why risk damaging her future earning potential?
With the announcement that she will be returning to movies, Gina Carano has not only made the right decision for the longevity of her acting career, but she has also made the right decision for the continued growth of women’s mixed martial arts. As long as she remembers where she came from and shows her face from time to time, both she and the sport will benefit from the trail that she has blazed.
I don't get it Raphael. It appears like your premise for suggesting that Carano not return to MMA is that she lost to the current #1 145 who happens have just tested positive for PEDs. If she were still fighting she would likely be the #2 ranked 145er. What gives?
Here's my take:
Yes…she would be ranked the number 2 145 pounder the second she comes back, but that wouldn't last long. 1st — she's been away from the sport for two years. How often do we see fighters who take a year off come back strong, let alone 2. You may think she was "light years" ahead of the rest of the women's competition…but I tend to think not. I've always thought that she was a protected fighter because promoters and decision makers knew what they had in her. A beautiful face with the potential to help grow the sport while bringing in loads of money. 2nd – Carano would have to fight the biggest names in the sport. Zuffa doesn't protect it's fighters the same way Strikeforce or Elite XC tried to do. Besides Santos and Rousey…those names are in the 135 weight class. I would not be surprised one bit if those fighters were quick to call out Carano. Again, she's coming off a 2 year lay off and I believe the sport has evolved past her. In those two years, the women fighters at the top are that much better. I would expect the biggest names to immediately start calling her out in hopes of getting a fight, big pay day, and a name to build their legacy on. Yes they would be "small" but I really don't think that would stop Coenen, Carmouche, Kaufman, McMann and others from defeating her. So again, she could return. Come on back…but time would be short before she would be exposed and in a bad way. Just my opinion.
No, she wouldn't be the #2
ranked 145 pounder the second she came back. She would get ranked
appropriately depending on who she fought. Does she need to be light
years ahead? What if she winds up being ranked #5, or even #9. Why
doesn't that merit a return to MMA? Who do you think she was protected
from at 145? Looking at the 145 pound rankings, who do you think
definitely beats her? http://w145.mmaratings.net/
At 145 the only true trouble I see there is of course Rousey, the returning Santos — because I believe Carano would whilt under their pressure. And I would also be interested in her fighting Rin. Also, Marloes Conen used to fight at 145 and I think she beats Carano as well.
But like I stated, I believe a lot of 135 pound fighters would start to call her out and I have a hard time believing she would beat Tate, Carmouche, or McMann…especially after two years off.
So you're saying she should stay away from MMA because she will probably get beat by the top 5 featherweights? Why?
And what difference does it make if bantamweight start calling her out? First of all, they would have to fight her at featherweight, because she's not cutting down. They will be at a size disadvantage. And second of all, she wouldn't be fighting them immediately upon her return. She would be a few fights in before bantamweights start moving up to featherweight to fight her.