Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gina Carano

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gina Carano made an impact.

Gina Carano is an American actress and former mixed martial artist. She gained prominence in MMA, competing in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce (2006-2009), achieving a 7-1 record. Often called the 'face of women's MMA,' a title she disavowed, she and Cris Cyborg were the first women to headline a major MMA event in 2009. Following her first professional defeat to Cyborg, Carano retired from MMA competition and transitioned into acting.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2005: Starring in Ring Girls

In 2005, Gina Carano starred in the film Ring Girls, based on American women attempting to fight Muay Thai fighters.

December 8, 2006: Victory Against Elaina Maxwell

On December 8, 2006, Gina Carano defeated Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Triple Threat via unanimous decision, marking the first female fight in Strikeforce.

2006: MMA Career Beginnings

In 2006, Gina Carano began her mixed martial arts career, competing in Elite Xtreme Combat.

February 10, 2007: Victory Against Julie Kedzie

On February 10, 2007, Gina Carano defeated Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision on the Showtime EliteXC card, earning "Fight of the Night" and marking the first televised female fight on Showtime.

June 2, 2007: EliteXC/K-1 Dynamite!! USA Bout Canceled

On June 2, 2007, Gina Carano's scheduled bout against Jan Finney at the EliteXC/K-1 Dynamite!! USA event was canceled due to illness and dehydration, leading to hospitalization.

September 15, 2007: Victory Against Tonya Evinger

On September 15, 2007, Gina Carano defeated Tonya Evinger via rear-naked choke on the Showtime EliteXC card, marking her first career win by submission.

2007: Mentor on Fight Girls

In 2007, Gina Carano served as a mentor to aspiring fighters in the Oxygen reality series Fight Girls.

May 31, 2008: Victory Over Kaitlin Young, Weight Issue

On May 31, 2008, Gina Carano defeated Kaitlin Young at EliteXC: Primetime. A day prior, she failed to make weight, weighing in at 144.5 pounds, and forfeited 12.5% of her purse.

October 3, 2008: Making Weight for Kobold Fight

On October 3, 2008, Gina Carano successfully made weight for her fight against Kelly Kobold after multiple attempts at the weigh-in.

December 16, 2008: American Gladiators Workout Video Release

On December 16, 2008, the American Gladiators workout video, featuring Gina Carano as "Crush", was released.

August 15, 2009: Loss to Cris Cyborg

On August 15, 2009, Gina Carano fought Cris Cyborg at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, losing by TKO and suffering her first professional MMA defeat. Strikeforce created their first Women's Championship for the bout.

August 2009: Last Fight Since August 2009

Since August 2009, Gina Carano has not fought and is not scheduled for any upcoming events, remaining under contract with the UFC.

September 2009: Leading Role in Haywire

In September 2009, Gina Carano landed the leading role in the spy thriller Haywire, directed by Steven Soderbergh.

October 19, 2009: Cover Athlete for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue

On October 19, 2009, Gina Carano was a cover athlete along with Serena Williams for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue.

2009: Headline MMA Event and First Defeat

In 2009, Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg became the first women to headline a major MMA event. Also in 2009, Carano suffered her first professional MMA defeat to Cyborg.

2009: Appearance in Blood and Bone

In 2009, Gina Carano appeared in the film Blood and Bone and also in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 as Natasha.

November 2010: Hopeful Return to Strikeforce

In November 2010, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker expressed hope for Gina Carano's return in 2011.

February 2011: Return Formally Announced

In February 2011, Gina Carano's return to Strikeforce was formally announced.

April 9, 2011: Carano vs. D'Alelio Fight Announced

On April 9, 2011, Strikeforce announced Gina Carano would return against Sarah D'Alelio on June 18, during the Overeem vs. Werdum event in Dallas.

2011: First Major Film Role in Haywire

In 2011, Gina Carano transitioned from MMA to acting, landing her first major role as the lead in the action film Haywire.

2011: Haywire Release

In 2011, the movie Haywire starring Gina Carano was released. It was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

February 2012: Casting in In the Blood

In February 2012, Gina Carano was cast in In the Blood, an action thriller directed by John Stockwell.

2012: Casting in The ExpendaBelles

In 2012, Gina Carano was cast as the lead in The ExpendaBelles, an all-female ensemble action film that was planned as part of The Expendables franchise, but the project has yet to materialize.

July 2013: Avengelyne Adaptation Announcement

In July 2013, Gina Carano and Rob Liefeld announced they were working on a big-screen adaptation of Liefeld's Avengelyne, with Carano starring as the titular character.

2013: Appearance in Fast & Furious 6

In 2013, Gina Carano appeared in Fast & Furious 6 as a member of Special Agent Luke Hobbs' Diplomatic Security Service team, receiving praise for her performance.

2013: Critics Choice Awards Nomination

In 2013, Gina Carano was nominated for the Critics Choice Awards for best actress in an action movie for Haywire.

April 2014: Considering MMA Return

In April 2014, Gina Carano said she was considering a return to MMA during an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show.

September 2014: Contract Negotiations Stalled

In September 2014, Dana White of the UFC said contract negotiations with Gina Carano had stalled.

December 2014: Planned Fight with Ronda Rousey

In December 2014, Ronda Rousey mentioned a planned fight between her and Gina Carano that never materialized during the Joe Rogan Experience 690 podcast.

2014: Appearance in Almost Human

In 2013–2014, Gina Carano appeared in the Fox series Almost Human episode "Unbound", playing Danica, an XRN combat android.

2014: Release of In the Blood

In 2014, In the Blood, an action thriller starring Gina Carano, was released.

2015: Appearance in Extraction

In 2015, Gina Carano co-starred in the film Extraction.

2016: Appearance in Deadpool

In 2016, Gina Carano appeared in the film Deadpool, adding to her acting roles.

2018: Casting in The Mandalorian

In 2018, Gina Carano was cast in The Mandalorian, Lucasfilm's first live-action Star Wars television series, portraying Cara Dune.

2019: Portrayal of Cara Dune in The Mandalorian

From 2019 to 2020, Gina Carano portrayed Cara Dune in the first two seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+.

2020: Second Season of The Mandalorian

From 2019 to 2020, Gina Carano portrayed Cara Dune in the first two seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+.

2020: Belief of Voter Fraud during the 2020 Presidential Election

In February 2021, Lucasfilm cited Gina Carano's repeated belief of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election as part of the reason she was let go.

February 2021: Controversial Social Media Posts and Firing

In February 2021, Gina Carano shared a controversial Instagram post comparing "hating someone for their political views" to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust, leading to her firing from Lucasfilm and being dropped by the United Talent Agency.

May 2021: Appearance on Running Wild with Bear Grylls

In May 2021, Gina Carano appeared as a guest on an episode of the show Running Wild with Bear Grylls.

October 2021: White Knuckle Film Project

In October 2021, it was scheduled that Gina Carano would begin production in Tennessee, Utah, and Montana on White Knuckle, a new film project with The Daily Wire, which she would be developing, producing, and starring in.

November 2021: Casting in My Son Hunter

In November 2021, Gina Carano was cast to play a secret service agent in My Son Hunter, a biopic on Hunter Biden.

2021: Firing from The Mandalorian

In 2021, Gina Carano was fired from The Mandalorian following controversial political statements.

2021: Cancellation of White Knuckle

In 2021, the White Knuckle project was cancelled at Gina Carano's behest due to her unwillingness to comply with Hollywood's COVID-19 mask and vaccine requirements.

June 2022: Terror on the Prairie Release

In June 2022, Terror on the Prairie, a Western film starring Gina Carano as a replacement for White Knuckle, was released exclusively to Daily Wire subscribers.