Future Hollywood star made MMA TV history before Ronda Rousey

Gina Carano might be more recognisable today from her roles in The Mandalorian, Fast & Furious 6, and Deadpool, but acting wasn’t how she first made headlines.

Carano started her pro career back in 2006 and became an early presence in the sport, fighting for promotions like Strikeforce and EliteXC.

She finished with a record of 7-1 before moving on to a career in film and TV.

The bout aired live on Showtime’s main card, making it the first women’s MMA fight ever broadcasted live on television.

Carano took the win by unanimous decision at a catchweight of 138 pounds, staying undefeated until that final bout with Cyborg.

Gina Carano’s coach keeping the door open for possible comeback

Gina Carano hasn’t competed since her loss to Cris Cyborg back in 2009, but it was only last year that a potential matchup with Ronda Rousey started to gain traction again. Videos of both women training reignited interest, though talks have since cooled.

While there hasn’t been much progress on a fight against Rousey, who last fought in 2016 against Amanda Nunes, Carano appears committed to a return at 43, according to her coach.

“She’s back training every day,” John Wood told Home of Fight. “We spent the first couple months kinda getting her back in shape. She’s jumped in now and working with the pros and practices and stuff. So, who knows? I am not at will to say what could or could not happen there.

“I think that this coming back and training has lit a fire under her ass,” Wood continued. “I think that there’s some things that are potentially on the table and I think might be explored. Who knows what’s gonna happen? She’s been out of the game for a while, but I know that she’s got that fire, and I know that she’s in here training like a bat out of hell every day. So we’ll see.”