At her peak, Ronda Rousey was the best known fighter in mixed martial arts, male, or female. But the path was blazed by Gina Carano, the original “Face of Women’s MMA.” Carano began martial arts in Muay Thai, and earned a perfect 12-0 record in kickboxing, before transitioning to MMA. As an MMA fighter, she went 7-1, losing only to WMMA GOAT candidate Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
Carano currently works as an actress. She appeared most recently as Hattie McAllister in the award-winning documentary Terror on the Prairie, with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. And here’s a fact – Carano is the #1 most famous Aries named Gina.
Check out below the best Gina Carano gifs in history, as well as more facts you never knew about “Conviction”.
The Ronda Rousey Connection
Ronda Rousey was lost after the 2008 Olympics, but discovered MMA and was inspired to fight after watching Gina Carano vs. Julia Kedzie.
Carano defeated Kedzie via unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Night.” It was the first televised female MMA fight on Showtime.
Best Place to Keep a Mouthpiece
Carano’s middle name is Joy, her ring/cage name was ‘Conviction’ and she went by ‘Crush’ on the 2008 American Gladiators. She kept her mouthpiece conveniently close at hand.
Red Panty Night
Carano graduated from American Galadiators to appeared in a number of films, includjng In the Blood, an action thriller in the vein of Taken. Her helpless husband vanishes, and she has to use her fighting skills to save the day and beat up the evil doers, like this corrupt policeman below.
Carano has appeared in 13 films, with more in various states of production.
In the Blood director John Stockwell stated, “This role will showcase not only Gina’s fighting skills, but also her acting abilities as her character struggles to rein in her violent past.”
And not rein it in.
Despite her accomplishments, Gina Carano puts on her bra on strap at a time, just like any other fighter.
Gina Takes a Dive
Carano was born under a tornado watch in Dallas County, Texas. She is the daughter of Glenn Carano, the Dallas Cowboys’ backup quarterback from 1977-1983.
“Growing up [in Las Vegas], I got in a lot of street fights,” she joked. “I was the son my father never had.”
Weighing In
Despite an obviously active lifestyle, Carano struggled to make weight for some fights, requiring her once to remove the sports bra. Her dad helped hold the towel. No one looked, or her dad would have tackled them into bolivian.
Tongue in Cheek
Carano was ranked #5 on Yahoo’s “Most Influential Women” in 2008, and was ranked #16 on Maxim’s Hot 100 list in 2009. She’s a “Small Percentage of Italian.” She led her high school basketball team to a state title. Her college major was Psychology. She has two sisters.
How to Date Gina Carano
Gina Carano’s idea of a great first date would include going to see a fight. And the one quality she looks for in a man?
“A sense of humor,” she said. “Not just any sense of humor, a weird one. He has to make me laugh.”
This Is An MMA Joke:
It’s a UFC PPV event, and a man makes his way to his seat right next to the Octagon. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks his neighbour if someone will be sitting there. “No,” replies the neighbour. “The seat is empty.” “This is incredible,” said the man. “Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the UFC and not use it?” The neighbour says, “Well actually the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first UFC we haven’t been to together since we got married.” “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. That’s terrible….But couldn’t you find someone else, a friend, relative or even a neighbour to take her seat?” The man shakes his head, and replied, “No, they’re all at the funeral.”
Heh.
No Sex Symbol
Carano doesn’t really get her sex symbol status.
“All the attention has helped me, but it’s also hurt me,” she explains. “Sometimes, you get portrayed the way you don’t want to be portrayed. People start thinking about you a certain way. I’m like, ‘What’s everybody talking about with this sex appeal thing?’ I don’t get it. I’m not that way. I want people to see me for who I am and not for how someone else is trying to promote me.”
