Gina Joy Carano (born April 16, 1982) is an American actress and mixed martial artist. She competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, where she compiled a 7โ1 record.
๐ฅ MMA Career
Carano started her career in Muay Thai, achieving a record of 12โ1โ1. She received an offer to participate in the first-ever sanctioned female MMA bout in Nevada, winning in 38 seconds.
She faced Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, winning via unanimous decision. It was the first female fight in Strikeforce.
Carano fought on the February 10, 2007 Showtime EliteXC card, defeating Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision in what was called the โFight of the Night.โ It was the first televised female fight on Showtime.
She defeated Tonya Evinger via rear-naked choke on September 15, 2007, for her first career win by submission. Carano defeated former HOOKnSHOOT Champion Kaitlin Young at EliteXC: Primetime on May 31, 2008.
Carano won against Kelly Kobold by unanimous decision on October 3, 2008. She lost to Cris Cyborg by TKO at 4:59 in the first round on August 15, 2009, giving her first-ever loss.
Carano retired from competition after her first professional MMA defeat to Cyborg. She and Cris Cyborg were the first women to headline a major MMA event during their 2009 Strikeforce bout.
๐ฅ Acting Career
Transitioning from the ring to the screen, Carano landed her first major role as the lead of the action film Haywire (2011). She appeared in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and Deadpool (2016).
She portrayed Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian from 2019 to 2020. She was fired from the series in 2021.
Carano later filed a lawsuit against Disney in 2024 for wrongful termination, which ultimately ended in a settlement the following year.
๐ค Personal Background
Carano was born in Dallas County, Texas, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the daughter of Dana Joy Cason and casino executive and former professional football player Glenn Carano.
She is the middle child of three sisters. She was raised by her mother after her parents divorced when Gina was seven.
Carano graduated from Trinity Christian High School in Las Vegas where she led the girlsโ basketball team to a state title. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno for a year and then University of Nevada, Las Vegas for three years, majoring in psychology.
๐ 2026 Return
From August 2009 to February 2026, Carano would remain inactive and was not scheduled for any upcoming events. On February 17, 2026, it was announced that Carano would make a one-off return to MMA after a 17-year hiatus under Most Valuable Promotions at MVP MMA 1, against former UFC Womenโs Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey on May 16, 2026.
| Category | Detail | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| MMA Record | Professional record | 2006โ2009 | 7โ1 |
| First Major Film | Haywire | 2011 | Lead role |
| Star Wars Role | Cara Dune in The Mandalorian | 2019โ2020 | Fired in 2021 |
| 2026 Return | Fight vs. Ronda Rousey | 2026 | Scheduled |