Gina Carano paving her own way through MMA
Gina Carano was in no rush to sign a new contract. Two months ago, the MMA star had two promotions…
Gina Carano was in no rush to sign a new contract.
Two months ago, the MMA star had two promotions interested in her talent: Strikeforce, who owned her EliteXC contract, and the UFC, whose owners Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta were thinking about creating a division around her.
The UFC was the popular kids’ choice, like it was for every fighter who dreamed of doing big things. Strikeforce, though not on par with the UFC’s prestige, had a new deal with Showtime and CBS, where she had first cemented herself as the face of women’s MMA, at one point adding one million new viewers to the telecast she fought on.
In November, UFC president Dana White did an about face on Carano, stating he’d be open to signing her. Strikeforce officials remained mostly quiet about the situation.
As time passed, pressure mounted as fans and media pondered why she hadn’t committed to a home yet.