Gina Carano

Carano was born in Dallas County, Texas,{{cite book |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LmhFCQAAQBAJ&dq=gina+carano+born+dallas&pg=PA47 |chapter=Carano, Gina (1982–) |title=Combat Sports: An Encyclopedia of Wrestling, Fighting, and Mixed Martial Arts |page=47 |first=David L. Jr. |last=Hudson |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-3133-4383-4 |quote=Born in 1982 in Dallas County, Texas ...}} and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, the daughter of Dana Joy Cason and casino executive and former professional football player Glenn Carano.{{Cite news| url=https://www.nevadaappeal.com/sports/carano-making-a-name-for-herself/|title=Carano making a name for herself| date=September 11, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2020|first=Mike|last=Houser|newspaper=Nevada Appeal|location= Carson City, Nevada|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201126224620/https://www.nevadaappeal.com/sports/carano-making-a-name-for-herself/|url-status=live|quote=...Gina, who was born to Glenn Carano and Dana Joy Cason, who divorced when Gina was 7.}}{{cite news |last=Iole |first=Mark B. |date=May 28, 2008 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ki-carano052808 |title=Carano wants to be fighter first, star later |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=August 1, 2008 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205053210/http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ki-carano052808#selection-1303.78-1305.14 |url-status=dead |quote=[H]er father, Glenn, is a Reno, Nev., casino executive who once was a backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys... }} She is the middle child of three sisters.Carano in {{cite magazine|last= Naoki|first= Fukuda |date= January 27, 2007|title=Balls, Beauty & Brains! That's Las Vegas wundergirl Gina Carano! |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081105062511/http://www.mat-magazine.com/mat/content/view/2471/20/|url-status=usurped|url= http://www.mat-magazine.com/mat/content/view/2471/20/ |magazine=Mat Magazine| archive-date=November 5, 2008|quote=I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. My mom raised us with horses on the outskirts of Vegas ... My parents are amazing people who worked well together after the divorce to ensure that us kids came first ... I am majoring in Psychology but for the last two years I have had to put school aside because of the amazing opportunities that have opened up for me in fighting. I have two ... sisters, one older and one younger ...}} She was raised by her mother after her parents divorced when Gina was seven. She has said that her family celebrates "an Italian festival" every year, though she is of a "small percentage of Italian" descent.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmanews.com/full-transcript-of-exclusive-gina-carano-interview/|title=Full Transcript Of Exclusive Gina Carano Interview|last=Cruz|first=Luis|newspaper=Mma News | Ufc News, Results & Interviews|date=January 31, 2007|publisher=MMANews.com|access-date=December 27, 2019|quote=I'm Italian, well Italian American. My family throws an Italian festival every year and we grew up on raviolis and that stuff|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228011811/https://www.mmanews.com/full-transcript-of-exclusive-gina-carano-interview/|url-status=live}}

Carano graduated from Trinity Christian High School in Las Vegas where she led the girls' basketball team to a state title. She also played volleyball and softball.Sheehan, Jack (September 1, 2007) [http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2007/sep/01/dont-let-her-good-looks-fool-you-stunning-gina-car/ "Don't let her good looks fool you: Stunning Gina Carano has a near-perfect record in mixed martial arts"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214161714/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2007/sep/01/dont-let-her-good-looks-fool-you-stunning-gina-car/ |date=December 14, 2009 }}, Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 1, 2008. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno for a year and then University of Nevada, Las Vegas for three years, majoring in psychology.{{cite web|url=http://ginacarano.yardbarker.com/blog/GinaCarano/home|title=For the people who have supported me this far|first=Gina|last=Carano|date=August 27, 2009|website=The Official Site of Gina Carano|publisher=YardBarker.com|access-date=March 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715032551/http://ginacarano.yardbarker.com/blog/GinaCarano/home|archive-date=July 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web| website= Awakeningfighters.com| title= Profile of Gina Carano| url= http://www.awakeningfighters.com/athletes/gina-carano| access-date= February 20, 2016| archive-date= March 17, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160317223911/http://www.awakeningfighters.com/athletes/gina-carano/| url-status= live}}

Carano started her career in the sport of Muay Thai. Her then-boyfriend Kevin Ross, a pro Muay Thai fighter, got her involved.{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/23/it-takes-two-fight/|title=It takes two to tangle Las Vegas native's desire to fight inspired top female MMA fighter to take up sport|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=July 23, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2009|archive-date=September 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922041013/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/23/it-takes-two-fight/|url-status=live}} After achieving a Muay Thai record of 12–1–1,{{cite web|url=http://www.mmanews.com/other/Full-Transcript-Of-Exclusive-Gina-Carano-Interview.html |title=Full Transcript Of Exclusive Gina Carano Interview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006133541/http://www.mmanews.com/other/Full-Transcript-Of-Exclusive-Gina-Carano-Interview.html |archive-date=October 6, 2008}} Carano received an offer from Jamie Levine to participate in the first-ever sanctioned female MMA bout in Nevada with World Extreme Fighting to fight Leiticia Pestovа (a bout Carano won in 38 seconds). She was invited to the World Pro Fighting show in Las Vegas to fight Rosi Sexton.{{cite web|url=http://www.wpfight.com/?page=galf&cat=media|title=World Pro Fighting – Las Vegas, September 15, 2006|access-date=September 16, 2007|publisher=WPFight.com|archive-date=September 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928145508/http://www.wpfight.com/?page=galf&cat=media|url-status=dead}} Carano won the fight by knocking out Sexton late in the second round.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Carano faced Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Triple Threat on December 8, 2006. She won the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Le-Wins-on-Cut-Southworth-Takes-Strikeforce-Belt-6319 |title=Le Wins on Cut, Southworth Takes Strikeforce Belt |access-date=May 5, 2010 |publisher=Sherdog |date=December 8, 2006 |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607034345/http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Le-Wins-on-Cut-Southworth-Takes-Strikeforce-Belt-6319 |url-status=live }} Carano proved critics wrong when she defeated Maxwell for the second time; the first victory coming in a Muay Thai bout. It was the first female fight in Strikeforce. She fought on the February 10, 2007 Showtime EliteXC card, defeating Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision in what was called the "Fight of the Night".{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=18625|title=EXC live coverage from Southaven, MS|access-date=September 16, 2007|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|archive-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426173946/http://www.f4wonline.com/?aID=18625|url-status=live}} It was the first televised female fight on Showtime. Her scheduled bout against Jan Finney at the EliteXC/K-1 Dynamite!! USA event on June 2, 2007 was canceled due to illness. The Fight Network and other news outlets reported that Carano was rushed to the hospital by ambulance for dehydration while attending a World Extreme Cagefighting event as a spectator.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=7568|title=Sick Carano Off EliteXC Card|date=May 17, 2008|publisher=Sherdog|access-date=2007-05-17|archive-date=April 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410140528/http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=7568|url-status=live}}

Carano fought on the September 15, 2007 Showtime EliteXC card, where she defeated Tonya Evinger via rear-naked choke for her first career win by submission.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=dd-091607excnotes&prov=yhoo&type=lgns|title=Elite XC notes: Carano carries torch for sport|access-date=August 9, 2009|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=June 16, 2007|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023113242/http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=dd-091607excnotes|url-status=live}} She impressed critics by holding her own on the ground before submitting Evinger late in the first round. Carano defeated former HOOKnSHOOT Champion Kaitlin Young at EliteXC: Primetime on May 31, 2008.Ariel Helwani (May 28, 2008) [http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/8185346/Carano:-'I-just-didn't-really-want-to-stay-out-of-the-ring' Carano: 'I just didn't really want to stay out of the ring'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601003912/http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/8185346/Carano:-'I-just-didn't-really-want-to-stay-out-of-the-ring' |date=June 1, 2008}} A day before the fight, Carano failed to make weight for her fight after weighing in at {{convert|144.5|lb|kg}}. Although most MMA organizations set weight classes at {{convert|135|lb|kg|abbr=on}} (bantamweight) and {{convert|145|lb|kg|abbr=on}} (featherweight), EliteXC opted to create a women's weight class at {{convert|140|lb}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120227145942/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2007/9/26/1056/08812 "Gina Carano and Weight Cutting "]. Archived from [http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2007/9/26/1056/08812 the original] on February 10, 2014 Carano agreed to forfeit 12.5% of her "show" purse to Young, and the fight remained on the card.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=12967|title=Carano Misses Weight|date=May 30, 2008|publisher=Sherdog|access-date=2008-08-01|archive-date=June 4, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604140915/http://www.sherdog.com/news/pictures.asp?n_id=12967|url-status=live}}

Leading up to her fight against Kelly Kobold, there was much controversy over whether Carano would make weight for the fight, as she had fought only once in the past year and had failed to make weight. Carano assured critics that she would be able to make weight since she had hired a nutritionist to help with her dieting. At the weigh-in for the Kobold fight on October 3, 2008, Carano weighed in at {{convert|142.75|lb}} on her first attempt.{{cite web|author=Smith, Michael David|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2008/10/04/gina-carano-gets-naked-on-the-scale-to-make-weight-for-elitexc-f|title=Gina Carano Gets Naked on the Scale to Make Weight for EliteXC Fight|publisher=SB Nation|date=October 4, 2008|access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022557/http://www.mmafighting.com/2008/10/04/gina-carano-gets-naked-on-the-scale-to-make-weight-for-elitexc-f|url-status=live}} After removing her clothing, a towel-covered Carano weighed in a second time at {{convert|142.5|lb}}.{{cite web|url=http://164mph.com/Elite_Xtreme_Combat/news:elitexc-heat-weigh-in-results/ |title= Weigh in|publisher=164mph.com |access-date=November 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707060210/http://164mph.com/Elite_Xtreme_Combat/news:elitexc-heat-weigh-in-results/ |archive-date=July 7, 2011}} The towel was removed,{{cite web|url=http://www.fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/10/04/surprises-could-be-in-store-during-cbs-and-elitexcs-saturday-night-fights|title=Surprises could be in store during CBS and EliteXC's 'Saturday Night Fights'|website=fiveouncesofpain.com|date=April 10, 2008|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018055617/http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/10/04/surprises-could-be-in-store-during-cbs-and-elitexcs-saturday-night-fights/|archive-date=October 18, 2008|url-status=dead}} and on her third attempt, Carano weighed {{convert|141|lb}}{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/12926/elitexc-heat-weigh-in-results.mma |title="EliteXC: Heat" weigh-in results |access-date=August 9, 2009 |publisher=MMAJUNKIE.com |date=October 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221085002/http://mmajunkie.com/news/12926/elitexc-heat-weigh-in-results.mma |archive-date=February 21, 2009}} and successfully made weight.

Early on, Kobold was intent on pressing Carano in the clinch, while working for the takedown throughout the fight. Kobold managed a takedown in the second round, but the round ended before she could take meaningful advantage of it. Carano worked her opportunities by hitting Kobold at every turn whenever the fighters separated while opening a huge gash on the inside of her opponent's eyebrow in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Shields-Armbars-Daley-Arlovski-Flattens-Nelson-at-Heat-14656|title=Shields Armbars Daley; Arlovski Flattens Nelson at 'Heat'|access-date=February 10, 2010|publisher=Sherdog|date=October 5, 2008|archive-date=August 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806002255/http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Shields-Armbars-Daley-Arlovski-Flattens-Nelson-at-Heat-14656|url-status=live}} At the end of the third round, Carano looked to finish the fight as she unloaded a head kick that landed flush on Kobold's chin, but Kobold remained on her feet and the bout came to a close.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7276&zoneid=13 |title=GINA CARANO DEFEATS KOBOLD, REMAINS UNBEATEN |access-date=August 9, 2009 |publisher=MMAWEEKLY.com |date=October 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207235744/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7276&zoneid=13 |archive-date=December 7, 2008}} Carano won by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/12935/elitexc-heat-live-round-by-round-updates-and-official-results.mma |title="EliteXC: Heat" live round-by-round updates and official results |access-date=August 9, 2009 |publisher=MMAJUNKIE.com |date=October 4, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429072954/http://mmajunkie.com/news/12935/elitexc-heat-live-round-by-round-updates-and-official-results.mma |archive-date=April 29, 2009}}

File:Gina Carano.jpg

After Strikeforce purchased the assets of ProElite, Carano, along with other fighters within the defunct promotion, became contractually linked with Strikeforce after many months of a stalemate regarding their free agent status.{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/mma/02/04/strikeforce.buying.proelite/index.html |work=CNN |title=Strikeforce completes deal to buy limited ProElite asset |date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2010 |archive-date=December 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091230033802/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/mma/02/04/strikeforce.buying.proelite/index.html |url-status=dead }}

It was announced at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields that Carano's fight against Cris Cyborg would take place on August 15, 2009, at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg. Strikeforce created their first Women's Championship for the bout. Though the 145-pound division is most commonly referred to as featherweight, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated that the title would be known as the Strikeforce Women's Lightweight Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2009/08/1503.html |title=Strikeforce Post-Fight Press Conference Recap |publisher=MMARising.com |access-date=August 26, 2009 |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401003125/http://www.mmarising.com/news/2009/08/1503.html |url-status=live }} The title was later renamed the Strikeforce Women's Middleweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.strikeforce.com/fighters/ |title=Strikeforce Champions |publisher=Strikeforce.com |access-date=June 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814174359/http://www.strikeforce.com/fighters/ |archive-date=August 14, 2010}} Carano lost the fight against Cyborg by TKO at 4:59 in the first round, giving her first-ever loss in her professional MMA career.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Cyborg-Finishes-Carano-in-First-Round-19126 |title='Cyborg' Finishes Carano in First Round |access-date=February 10, 2010 |publisher=Sherdog |date=August 16, 2009 |archive-date=February 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204140923/http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Cyborg-Finishes-Carano-in-First-Round-19126 |url-status=live }}

In November 2010, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker stated he was hopeful that she would return in 2011.{{cite news |url=http://mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-hopes-for-gina-carano-return-in-2011-no-discussions-yet |title=Strikeforce Hopes for Gina Carano Return in 2011, But No Discussions Yet |newspaper=Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos |access-date=November 5, 2010 |publisher=MMAWeekly.com |date=November 4, 2010 |archive-date=November 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107152334/http://mmaweekly.com/strikeforce-hopes-for-gina-carano-return-in-2011-no-discussions-yet |url-status=live }} Carano's return was formally announced in February 2011,Luke Thomas (February 12, 2011). [https://www.sbnation.com/mma/2011/2/12/1990921/strikeforce-fedor-vs-silva-results-gina-carano-returns-mma "Strikeforce: Fedor Vs. Silva Results: Gina Carano Returns To Strikeforce"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134504/http://www.sbnation.com/mma/2011/2/12/1990921/strikeforce-fedor-vs-silva-results-gina-carano-returns-mma |date=September 24, 2015 }}. sbnation.com. Accessed 2010-02-15. and Strikeforce announced at its April 9, 2011, event in San Diego that Carano would make her return against Sarah D'Alelio on June 18, during the Overeem vs. Werdum Strikeforce event in Dallas. This bout would have been held by Zuffa, who have been detractors of women's MMA in the past. Critics{{who|date=April 2015}} asserted that the reason for the turnaround was Carano's marketability.{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/49742-dana-white-same-old-tune-different-verse |title=Dana White: Same Old Tune; Different Verse |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=August 21, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009190610/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/49742-dana-white-same-old-tune-different-verse |url-status=live }}Gina Carano’s Real Opponent in Return to MMA: Dana White [https://web.archive.org/web/20110515025944/http://guerrillafight.com/gina-caranos-real-opponent-in-return-to-mma-dana-white/ Archived] from [http://guerrillafight.com/gina-caranos-real-opponent-in-return-to-mma-dana-white/ the original] on February 10, 2014 However, the fight did not take place. Initially, Strikeforce announced Carano failed her pre-fight medical examination and the fight was pulled from the card.{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Carano-Fails-Medicals-for-June-18-Strikeforce-32995 |title=Carano Fails Medicals for June 18 Strikeforce |publisher=Sherdog|date=June 7, 2011}} Later, it became public that Carano was medically cleared by the Athletic Commission but was removed from the card for other reasons.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

In April 2014, during an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show Carano said she was considering a return to MMA.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmamania.com/2014/4/4/5581298/video-gina-carano-announces-ufc-future-arsenio-hall-show-meeting-dana-white-mma |title=Gina Carano announces UFC future on Arsenio Hall's show |date=April 4, 2014 |publisher=MMA Mania |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917131110/http://www.mmamania.com/2014/4/4/5581298/video-gina-carano-announces-ufc-future-arsenio-hall-show-meeting-dana-white-mma |url-status=live }} In September 2014, Dana White of the UFC said contract negotiations with Carano had stalled.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/09/as-gina-carano-prospects-dim-ufc-eyes-brazil-for-possible-ronda-rousey-fight |title=As Gina Carano's prospects dim, UFC eyes Brazil |date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=MMA Junkie |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803063552/http://mmajunkie.com/2014/09/as-gina-carano-prospects-dim-ufc-eyes-brazil-for-possible-ronda-rousey-fight |url-status=live }} During her appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience 690 podcast, Ronda Rousey said a fight between Gina Carano and her had been planned for December 2014, but never materialized.{{cite web |url=http://podcasts.joerogan.net/podcasts/ronda-rousey-edmond-tarverdayn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903222304/http://podcasts.joerogan.net/podcasts/ronda-rousey-edmond-tarverdayn |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 3, 2015 |title=Joe Rogan Experience 690 |publisher=Joe Rogan.net}}

Carano has not fought since August 2009 and is not scheduled for any upcoming events.{{cite web|last=Marrocco|first=Steven|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23910/although-cleared-by-commission-gina-carano-return-date-unknown-manager-says.mma|title=Although cleared by commission, Gina Carano's return date unknown, manager says|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|date=June 7, 2011|access-date=November 11, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107235029/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23910/although-cleared-by-commission-gina-carano-return-date-unknown-manager-says.mma|url-status=dead}} She is still under contract with the UFC through her old Strikeforce contract and has four fights remaining on that contract.{{Cite web |url=http://mmanuts.com/news/gina-carano-already-contract-ufc-claims-dana-white/ |title=Gina Carano Already Under Contract to the UFC, Claims Dana White |last=Walsh |first=Dave |date=March 8, 2014 |publisher=mmanuts.com |access-date=March 8, 2014 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309041156/http://mmanuts.com/news/gina-carano-already-contract-ufc-claims-dana-white/ |url-status=live }}

Carano starred in the 2005 film Ring Girls.{{cite web |url=http://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=1843 |title=Ring Girls Review (2006) |publisher=Thespinningimage.co.uk |access-date=November 12, 2010 |archive-date=September 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915214149/http://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=1843 |url-status=live }} Based on true events, it is about five American women from Las Vegas who attempt to fight the best Muay Thai fighters in the world.{{cite web| url= http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/reviews/review.asp?Index=5440&User=10889 |title=Muay Thai Ring Girls (UK) (DVD Details) – MyReviewer.com |publisher=Dvd.reviewer.co.uk |date=September 30, 2006 |access-date=November 12, 2010}} Along with Lisa King, Carano served as a mentor to aspiring fighters in the 2007 Oxygen reality series Fight Girls. She appeared as "Crush" on the NBC show American Gladiators, in which she starred in the workout video of the show along with Monica Carlson (Jet), Jennifer Widerstrom (Phoenix), Michael O'Hearn (Titan), Tanoai Reed (Toa) and Don "Hollywood" Yates (Wolf). The DVD was released on December 16, 2008.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

She appeared in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 as Natasha,{{cite press release |title=EliteXC Fighter and American Gladiator Gina Carano to Appear in Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/877/877942p1.html |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613040712/http://pc.ign.com/articles/877/877942p1.html |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead |date=May 30, 2008}} portraying the Soviet sniper/commando in various cut scenes. She is featured in the Michael Jai White film Blood and Bone (2009).{{cite web |url=http://www.sohood.com/1/content/view/3358/69/|title=Gina Carano N Michael Jai White Kick ass in Blood and Bone |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080129195250/http://www.sohood.com/1/content/view/3358/69/ |archive-date = January 29, 2008}}

In September 2009, Carano landed the leading role in the spy thriller Haywire (2011), directed by Steven Soderbergh.{{cite news |title=Soderbergh, Carano in "Knockout" pairing |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/09/soderbergh-carano-in-knockout-pairing.html?nid=2854 |author=Fleming, Mike |work=Variety |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913022623/http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/09/soderbergh-carano-in-knockout-pairing.html?nid=2854 |archive-date=September 13, 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://fightburger.com/gina-carano-to-star-in-major-film/ |title=Gina Carano to Star in Major Film |publisher=Fightburger |date=September 8, 2009 |access-date=November 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519144059/http://fightburger.com/gina-carano-to-star-in-major-film/ |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Aftab |first=Kaleem |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/steven-soderbergh--its-always-good-to-kill-movie-stars-6285374.html |title=Steven Soderbergh – 'It's always good to kill movie stars' |date=January 6, 2012 |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160717/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/steven-soderbergh--its-always-good-to-kill-movie-stars-6285374.html |url-status=live }}

Christy Lemire of the Associated Press stated: "[Carano's] dialogue delivery may seem a bit stiff—and she has acknowledged that Soderbergh made some tweaks to her voice in post-production—but she has tremendous presence: an intriguing mix of muscular power and eye-catching femininity."{{cite news |first=Christy |last=Lemire |author-link=Christy Lemire |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2012/01/18/review_carano_kicks_butt_in_haywire_film_debut/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Movie+news |title=Review: Carano kicks butt in 'Haywire' film debut |date=January 12, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422041013/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2012/01/18/review_carano_kicks_butt_in_haywire_film_debut/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Movie+news |url-status=live }} Newsweek said Carano's martial-arts experience gives her "an unparalleled physicality" in the role.{{cite news |last=Stern |first=Marlow |title=Gina Carano, the Most Believable Female Action Star |url=https://www.newsweek.com/gina-carano-most-believable-female-action-star-64147 |work=Newsweek |date=16 January 2012 |access-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116070828/https://www.newsweek.com/gina-carano-most-believable-female-action-star-64147 |url-status=live }} She described her knockout fight with co-star Michael Fassbender:

{{Blockquote|We were brutal to each other. He was slamming me into the wall. He slammed my head so hard, I lost it for a second—I went white. And at one point, our knees clashed, [and] he got a limp.{{cite web |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/01/mma-fighter-gina-carano-on-haywire-kissing-michael-fassbender-and-playing-wonder-woman.html |url-access=limited |title=MMA Fighter Gina Carano on Haywire, Kissing Michael Fassbender, and Playing Wonder Woman |website=Vulture |date=January 19, 2012 |access-date=March 3, 2015 |archive-date=March 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319174108/http://www.vulture.com/2012/01/mma-fighter-gina-carano-on-haywire-kissing-michael-fassbender-and-playing-wonder-woman.html |url-status=live }}}}

In February 2012, Carano was cast in In the Blood (2014), an action thriller directed by John Stockwell.{{cite news |first=Borys |last=Kit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/haywire-gina-carano-action-martial-arts-290353 |title=Berlin 2012: 'Haywire' Actress Gina Carano to Star in Another Action Movie (Exclusive) |date=February 13, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 14, 2012 |archive-date=February 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215141802/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/haywire-gina-carano-action-martial-arts-290353 |url-status=live }}

In 2012, Carano was cast as the lead in an all-female ensemble action film, tentatively titled The ExpendaBelles, that would have been part of The Expendables film franchise. Producer Adi Shankar said, "I don't know how I'm supposed to make a movie that is supposed to be the female version of The Expendables without Gina Carano in it. It would be like making Twix without caramel or Jamba Juice without Jamba."{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Sneider |date=September 24, 2012 |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/carano-attaches-to-femme-riff-on-expendables-1118059753/ |title=Carano attaches to femme riff on 'Expendables' |work=Variety |access-date=September 25, 2012 |archive-date=September 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928232724/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118059753?refCatId=13 |url-status=live }} The project has yet to materialize.

Carano appeared in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) as a member of Special Agent Luke Hobbs' (Dwayne Johnson) Diplomatic Security Service team.{{cite news|first=Borys |last=Kit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/haywire-gina-carano-fast-6-dwayne-johnson-fast-furious-universal-315075 |title='Haywire' Star Gina Carano in Talks to Join 'Fast & Furious 6' (Exclusive) |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=April 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424221740/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/haywire-gina-carano-fast-6-dwayne-johnson-fast-furious-universal-315075 |archive-date=April 24, 2012 |url-status=dead}} Several critics praised Carano's performance; Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "Gina Carano is BIG fun to watch. [She] is still a bit stilted with her line readings, but her two fight scenes with Michelle Rodriguez are just epic."{{cite news|title='Fast & Furious 6' turns out to be the best yet in the franchise|last=Roeper|first=Richard|url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/20238122-421/fast-furious-6-turns-out-to-be-the-best-yet-in-the-franchise.html#.VEGTl9TF80M|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=May 23, 2013|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-date=November 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102122352/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/20238122-421/fast-furious-6-turns-out-to-be-the-best-yet-in-the-franchise.html#.VEGTl9TF80M|url-status=dead}} while Matt Goldberg of Collider.com wrote that the scene would "create a lot of new Gina Carano fans."{{cite news|first=Goldberg|last=Matt|url=https://collider.com/fast-furious-6-review/|title=FAST & FURIOUS 6 Review|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024040807/http://collider.com/fast-furious-6-review/|url-status=live}}

In July 2013, she and comic book creator Rob Liefeld announced they were working on a big-screen adaptation of Liefeld's Avengelyne in which Carano would star as the titular character.{{cite news |first=Borys |last=Kit |date=July 18, 2013 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/comic-con-gina-carano-rob-587733 |title=Comic-Con: Gina Carano and Rob Liefeld Team Up on 'Avengelyne' (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 18, 2013 |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721013301/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/comic-con-gina-carano-rob-587733 |url-status=live }} Carano appeared in the 2013–2014 Fox series Almost Human episode "Unbound", where she played the part of an XRN combat android named Danica. She co-starred in the 2015 film Extraction, and she played Angel Dust in the 2016 film Deadpool.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gina-carano-joins-ryan-reynolds-773247|title=Gina Carano Joins Ryan Reynolds in Fox's 'Deadpool' (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 13, 2015|access-date=February 14, 2015|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606045146/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gina-carano-joins-ryan-reynolds-773247|url-status=live}}

In 2018, she was cast in The Mandalorian, Lucasfilm's first live-action Star Wars television series.{{cite web |title=Pedro Pascal Revealed as the Mandalorian |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/pedro-pascal-revealed-as-the-mandalorian/ |access-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-date=December 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212200106/https://www.starwars.com/news/pedro-pascal-revealed-as-the-mandalorian |url-status=live }} She portrayed the character Cara Dune with a first appearance in the fourth episode of the first season titled "Chapter 4: Sanctuary".{{Cite web |last=Snowden |first=Scott |date=May 2, 2019 |title='The Mandalorian': Here's What We Know So Far About the 'Star Wars' Live Action Show |url=https://www.space.com/star-wars-the-mandalorian-what-we-know.html |access-date=December 1, 2019 |website=Space.com |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502124912/https://www.space.com/star-wars-the-mandalorian-what-we-know.html |url-status=live }} Carano initially believed she would be playing the role of a female Wookiee, and was surprised to "find that [she] was one of the few people that you were actually going to see her face."{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Why The Mandalorian Star Gina Carano Thought She Was Playing a Wookiee |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/11/the-mandalorian-gina-carano-cara-dune-costume-still-watching-interview |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201230539/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/11/the-mandalorian-gina-carano-cara-dune-costume-still-watching-interview |archive-date=December 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}} She played the role in seasons 1 and 2.{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Ryan |last2=Couch |first2=Aaron |date=February 10, 2021 |title='The Mandalorian' Star Gina Carano Fired Amid Social Media Controversy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-mandalorian-star-gina-carano-fired-amid-social-media-controversy |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211025909/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-mandalorian-star-gina-carano-fired-amid-social-media-controversy |url-status=live }}

In February 2021, Carano shared an Instagram post that compared "hating someone for their political views" to the persecution of Jews by their fellow citizens during the Holocaust{{r|Victor|BBC bullying|PBS NewsHour}} and included an image taken during the Lviv pogroms.{{Cite news |last=Roundtree |first=Cheyenne |date=10 February 2021 |title=Here's Why Gina Carano Was Fired From 'The Mandalorian' |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-why-star-wars-the-mandalorian-fans-want-gina-carano-fired |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427085649/https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-why-star-wars-the-mandalorian-fans-want-gina-carano-fired |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=May 27, 2021 |work=The Daily Beast}}{{Cite magazine |last=Lenker |first=Maureen Lee |date=February 10, 2021 |title='The Mandalorian' star Gina Carano faces backlash for controversial Instagram posts |url=https://ew.com/tv/mandalorian-gina-carano-backlash-controversial-instagram-posts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211043551/https://ew.com/tv/mandalorian-gina-carano-backlash-controversial-instagram-posts/ |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{NoteTag|The Instagram post read: "Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors ... even by children. Because history is edited, most people today don't realize that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them simply for being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?"{{cite web |date=10 February 2021 |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |title='Mandalorian' Star Gina Carano Under Fire for Controversial Social Media Posts |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/gina-carano-mandalorian-controversy-twitter-1234905140/ |website=Variety |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210210657/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/gina-carano-mandalorian-controversy-twitter-1234905140/ |url-status=live }}}} Many critics interpreted the post as comparing American conservatives to Jews in Nazi Germany.{{cite news |last=Bella |first=Timothy |title=Gina Carano is off 'The Mandalorian' over 'abhorrent and unacceptable' social media posts, Lucasfilm says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/11/gina-carano-mandalorian-star-wars/ |url-access=limited |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211180650/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/11/gina-carano-mandalorian-star-wars/ |url-status=live }} Shortly afterward, Lucasfilm stated that Carano was no longer employed by the company, saying that "her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable".{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Lucasfilm Calls Gina Carano Social Media Posts 'Abhorrent'; Actress No Longer Employed By 'Mandalorian' Studio |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/mandalorian-gina-carano-lucas-film-responds-to-controversial-statement-1234691898/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309073712/https://deadline.com/2021/02/mandalorian-gina-carano-lucas-film-responds-to-controversial-statement-1234691898/ |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |access-date=March 14, 2023 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=11 February 2021 |title='The Mandalorian' Actress Gina Carano & UTA Part Ways In Wake Of Social Media Controversy |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/the-mandalorian-actress-gina-carano-agency-uta-part-ways-in-wake-of-social-media-controversy-1234691964/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301100645/https://deadline.com/2021/02/the-mandalorian-actress-gina-carano-agency-uta-part-ways-in-wake-of-social-media-controversy-1234691964/ |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=Deadline}}{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=2021-02-11 |title=Gina Carano Dropped by UTA After Uproar Over Social Media Posts |url=https://www.thewrap.com/gina-carano-dropped-by-uta-after-uproar-over-social-media-posts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115103037/https://www.thewrap.com/gina-carano-dropped-by-uta-after-uproar-over-social-media-posts/ |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |access-date=2021-02-16 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}} A series of posts in which she mocked the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States was also cited by Lucasfilm,{{r|Bella}}{{Cite news |last=Victor |first=Daniel |date=11 February 2021 |title=Gina Carano Is Off 'Mandalorian' Amid Backlash Over Instagram Post |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/arts/television/gina-carano-lucasfilm.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212085723/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/arts/television/gina-carano-lucasfilm.html |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |date=11 February 2021 |title=Gina Carano fired from 'Mandalorian' after social media post |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/gina-carano-fired-from-mandalorian-after-social-media-post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213144231/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/gina-carano-fired-from-mandalorian-after-social-media-post |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=February 14, 2021 |work=PBS NewsHour |agency=Associated Press}} as well as her repeated accusations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.{{r|Bella|Victor}}{{Cite news |date=22 February 2021 |title=Gina Carano: Mandalorian star accuses Disney and Lucasfilm of 'bullying' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-56156005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223020826/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-56156005 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |access-date=April 17, 2021 |agency=BBC News}} She was also dropped by the United Talent Agency.

A week later, Carano announced she would be developing, producing, and starring in a new film project with conservative media company The Daily Wire.{{r|BBC bullying}}{{cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |title=Gina Carano Hits Back, Announces New Movie Project With Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire: 'They Can't Cancel Us If We Don't Let Them' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/gina-carano-mandalorian-ben-shapiro-hits-back-cancel-culture-1234692971/ |work=Deadline |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212181001/https://deadline.com/2021/02/gina-carano-mandalorian-ben-shapiro-hits-back-cancel-culture-1234692971/ |url-status=live }} The film, White Knuckle, was to be about revenge by a survivor of an attempted murder by a serial killer. The film was scheduled to begin production in October 2021 in Tennessee, Utah, and Montana. In the U.S., it was to be released exclusively to subscribers of The Daily Wire, and was to be released internationally by Voltage Pictures.{{cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |title=Gina Carano Reveals Details About First Project Since 'The Mandalorian'; Actress Will Star In Revenge Thriller Scripted By 'The Hitcher' Writer Eric Red |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/gina-carano-mandalorian-new-movie-daily-wire-hitcher-eric-red-1234812717/ |work=Deadline |date=12 August 2021 |access-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812201008/https://deadline.com/2021/08/gina-carano-mandalorian-new-movie-daily-wire-hitcher-eric-red-1234812717/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2021, Carano appeared as a guest on an episode of the show Running Wild with Bear Grylls.{{cite news |last1=Scribner |first1=Herb |title=Gina Carano says her 'Bear Grylls' episode will air after all |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/27/22405527/gina-carano-bear-grylls-episode-disney-plus-national-geographic |work=Deseret News |date=27 April 2021 |language=en |access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914191817/https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/27/22405527/gina-carano-bear-grylls-episode-disney-plus-national-geographic |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=What's on TV This Week: 'Halston' with Ewan McGregor, an Angelina Jolie action flick and more |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-05-09/what-to-watch-angelina-jolie-ewan-mcgregor-halston-mandalorian-gina-carano-running-wild |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=9 May 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914191818/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-05-09/what-to-watch-angelina-jolie-ewan-mcgregor-halston-mandalorian-gina-carano-running-wild |url-status=live }}

By fall 2021, the White Knuckle project had been cancelled at Carano's behest, due to her unwillingness to comply with Hollywood's COVID-19 mask and vaccine requirements. She stated, "After we announced our first project this summer, the Hollywood unions started debating vaccine mandates for cast and crew, and I wasn't into that. I don't believe anybody gets to make your medical choices for you, and I'm not willing to force masks and vaccines on anyone else." Daily Wire co-founder and co-CEO Jeremy Boreing recalled Carano's demand to "find a different movie", and her statement, "To hell with it, I'll quit my union. Let's make a movie up in Montana where they can't get after us." The group began production on the replacement film, a Western entitled Terror on the Prairie, that was released exclusively to Daily Wire subscribers in June 2022.{{Cite news |last=The Buffalo Tribune Team |date=2021-11-05 |title=Gina Carano Cans Movie over Vaccine Mandate, Moves Production to Red State |url=https://www.newstbt.com/post/gina-carano-cans-movie-over-vaccine-mandate-moves-production-to-red-state |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519151750/https://www.newstbt.com/post/gina-carano-cans-movie-over-vaccine-mandate-moves-production-to-red-state |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=2022-05-24 |work=The Buffalo Tribune}}

In November 2021, Carano was tapped to play a secret service agent in My Son Hunter, a biopic on Hunter Biden directed by Robert Davi.{{cite news|title=Gina Carano Joins Hunter Biden Biopic 'My Son Hunter'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/gina-carano-hunter-biden-biopic-my-son-hunter-1234877180/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=18 November 2021|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104143913/https://deadline.com/2021/11/gina-carano-hunter-biden-biopic-my-son-hunter-1234877180/|url-status=live}}

In February 2022, Carano explained her social media posts, saying that she "shared a meme, I translated into: Don't let the government pit you against each other or history tells us that could go wrong."{{Cite web |last=Scribner |first=Herb |date=2022-02-03 |title=Former 'Mandalorian' star Gina Carano slams 'double standards' after Whoopi Goldberg suspension |url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/2/3/22916013/star-wars-mandalorian-gina-carano-abc-disney-whoopi-goldberg-suspension |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203225548/https://www.deseret.com/2022/2/3/22916013/star-wars-mandalorian-gina-carano-abc-disney-whoopi-goldberg-suspension |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Disney Cancels the Mandalorian Star Gina Carano over Provocative Social Media Posts |url=https://reason.com/2021/02/11/disney-cancels-the-mandalorian-star-gina-carano-over-provocative-social-media-posts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605154039/https://reason.com/2021/02/11/disney-cancels-the-mandalorian-star-gina-carano-over-provocative-social-media-posts/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=June 5, 2022}} Some fans and commentators contrasted Carano's firing with fellow The Mandalorian cast member Pedro Pascal suffering no consequence for making comparisons between the treatment of Jews in concentration camps and the treatment of undocumented migrant children at ICE detention facilities in the US.{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2021 |title='Mandalorian' fans baffled after Gina Carano was fired but Pedro Pascal wasn't: 'Clear hypocrisy at Lucasfilm' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mandalorian-gina-carano-fired-pedro-pascal-lucasfilm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605150335/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mandalorian-gina-carano-fired-pedro-pascal-lucasfilm |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |publisher=Fox News}}{{Cite news |date=February 22, 2021 |title=Gina Carano: Mandalorian star accuses Disney and Lucasfilm of 'bullying' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56156005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607184008/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56156005 |archive-date=June 7, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |agency=BBC News}}{{Cite web |title=Gina Carano says she 'adores' her 'Mandalorian' costar Pedro Pascal despite political differences |url=https://www.insider.com/gina-carano-pedro-pascal-political-differences-2021-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207023116/https://www.businessinsider.com/gina-carano-pedro-pascal-political-differences-2021-2 |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=Insider.com}} Carano was defended by The Mandalorian co-star Bill Burr, who described her as "an absolute sweetheart" and criticized her firing.{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2 March 2021 |title='The Mandalorian's Bill Burr Defends Gina Carano In Wake Of Her Controversial Statements: "She Was An Absolute Sweetheart" |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-mandalorians-bill-burr-defends-gina-carano-in-wake-of-her-controversial-statements-she-was-an-absolute-sweetheart-1234705367/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112023136/https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-mandalorians-bill-burr-defends-gina-carano-in-wake-of-her-controversial-statements-she-was-an-absolute-sweetheart-1234705367/ |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=Deadline}}

In February 2024, Carano filed a lawsuit against Lucasfilm over her firing, alleging wrongful dismissal and sex discrimination. The suit was funded by Elon Musk, who had previously promised to support anyone who suffered employment discrimination because of what they posted on X.{{Cite news |last=Benjamin Lee |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Gina Carano sues Disney and Lucasfilm over firing in suit paid for by Elon Musk |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/06/gina-carano-sues-disney-mandalorian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206210312/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/feb/06/gina-carano-sues-disney-mandalorian |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |title=Gina Carano "Grotesquely Trivialized The Holocaust," Disney Says; Wants Elon Musk-Backed Suit On 'Mandalorian' Firing Tossed |date=April 10, 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/gina-carano-disney-mandalorian-lawsuit-latest-1235880689/ |publisher=Deadline}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=11 May 2024 |title=Gina Carano Officially Rejects Disney's Desire To Dismiss Her Discrimination Suit, Counters Mouse House's "Carte Blanche Authority" To Fire Her |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/gina-carano-disney-suit-motion-to-dismiss-1235912177/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Disney motioned to have the case dismissed, which was denied by U.S. district judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett.

Gina Carano v. The Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm LTD. LLC, and Huckleberry Industries (U.S.) Inc. is set to begin on September 25, 2025.{{cite news|last=Pattern|first=Dominic|title=Disney Loses Latest Attempt To Stall Trial Over Gina Carano's 'Mandalorian' Firing; Sex Discrimination Case Goes Before Jury Next Year|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/disney-gina-carano-trial-2025-1236119451/|work=Deadline|date=17 October 2024}}

Carano was profiled in a feature story for the ESPN series E:60. She was voted "Hottest Woman In America" by Big Biz Magazine in the Spring 2008 issue.Gina Carano, Hottest Female Fighter [https://web.archive.org/web/20080714173507/http://www.mmachump.com/2008/07/gina-carano-hottest-female-fighter/ Archived] from [http://www.mmachump.com/2008/07/gina-carano-hottest-female-fighter/ the original] on February 10, 2014 On May 13, 2008, "Gina Carano" was the fastest-rising search on Google and third-most-searched person on Yahoo!,[https://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?q=gina+carano&date=2008-5-13&sa=X Google trends – Gina Carano] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172708/http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?q=gina+carano&date=2008-5-13&sa=X |date=September 24, 2015 }} (May 12, 2008) Google. Retrieved 2008-08-01. and ranked no. 5 on Yahoo!'s "Top Ten Influential Women of 2008" list.{{cite web|url = http://buzzlog.yahoo.com/yearinreview2008/women|title = Top 2008 Trends: Top 10 Influential Women|first = Vera H-C|last = Chan|work = Yahoo! Buzz Log|date = n.d.|access-date = November 12, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120415115533/http://buzzlog.yahoo.com/yearinreview2008/women/|archive-date = April 15, 2012|url-status = dead}}

In May 2009, Carano was ranked no. 16 on Maxim{{'}}s Hot 100 list. She is one of the cover athletes along with Serena Williams{{cite web |url=http://beautytips4her.com/espn-body-issue-pictures-serena-williams-gina-carano/ |title=ESPN Body Issue Pictures- Serena Williams / Gina Carano |publisher=Beautytips4her.com |date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125075656/http://beautytips4her.com/espn-body-issue-pictures-serena-williams-gina-carano/ |url-status=live }} for the October 19, 2009, edition of ESPN The Magazine{{'}}s Body Issue.

She was a nominee for the 2013 Critics Choice Awards for best actress in an action movie for Haywire.{{cite web |url=http://www.criticschoice.com/movie-awards/ |title=Critics' Choice Awards | Critics' Choice Movie Awards |publisher=Criticschoice.com |date=January 10, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215082305/http://www.criticschoice.com/movie-awards/ |archive-date=December 15, 2012}}

• 2008 World MMA Awards Female Fighter of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.themmanews.com/fighters-only-world-mma-awards-results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006135504/http://www.themmanews.com/fighters-only-world-mma-awards-results/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2011|title=Contact Support|access-date=2 January 2023}}
• 2012 AOCA / Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award{{cite web|url=http://www.awakeningfighters.com/awakening-outstanding-contribution-award/|title=Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award|date=May 27, 2013 |publisher=Awakeningfighters.com|access-date=February 20, 2016|archive-date=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221074230/http://www.awakeningfighters.com/awakening-outstanding-contribution-award/|url-status=live}}
• 2012 ActionFest Film Festival, Chick Norris Award for Best Female Action Star{{cite web|url=http://actionfest.com/?page_id=286 |title=Press | ActionFest — The Film Festival With a Body Count |publisher=Actionfest.com |access-date=April 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313132909/http://actionfest.com/?page_id=286 |archive-date=March 13, 2012}}

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 3

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-wins= 1

| sub-losses=

| dec-wins= 3

| dec-losses=

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 7–1

| Cris Cyborg

| TKO (punches)

| Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg

| {{dts|2009|August|15|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:59

| San Jose, California, United States

| {{small|For the inaugural Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Kelly Kobold

| Decision (unanimous)

| EliteXC: Heat

| {{dts|2008|October|4|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 3:00

| Sunrise, Florida, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Kaitlin Young

| TKO (doctor stoppage)

| EliteXC: Primetime

| {{dts|2008|May|31|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 3:00

| Newark, New Jersey, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Tonya Evinger

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| EliteXC: Uprising

| {{dts|2007|September|15|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:53

| Oahu, Hawaii, United States

| {{small|Catchweight bout (141 lbs).}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Julie Kedzie

| Decision (unanimous)

| EliteXC: Destiny

| {{dts|2007|February|10|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 3:00

| Southaven, Mississippi, United States

| {{small|Catchweight bout (141 lbs).}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Elaina Maxwell

| Decision (unanimous)

| Strikeforce: Triple Threat

| {{dts|2006|December|8|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 2:00

| San Jose, California, United States

| {{small|Featherweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Rosi Sexton

| KO (punch)

| World Pro Fighting Championships 1

| {{dts|2006|September|15|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 4:55

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{small|Catchweight bout (138 lbs).}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Leiticia Pestova

| KO (punches and elbows)

| World Extreme Fighting

| {{dts|2006|June|10|format=mdy}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:38

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{small|Bantamweight debut.}}

{{end}}

• List of Strikeforce alumni
• List of female mixed martial artists
• List of female kickboxers

{{NoteFoot}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=buckheit/090813 Gina Carano with ESPN.com 2009]
• [http://www.gladiatorstv.com/international/america/gladiators/crush.php American Gladiators Crush Profile (GladiatorsTV.com)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080107153749/http://www.nbc.com/American_Gladiators/bios/crush.shtml American Gladiators Profile]
• Goodman, Justine (October 2, 2013). [http://www.maxim.com/women/gina-carano-has-new-movie-blood-so-lets-revisit-her-maxim-photo-shoot "Gina Carano Has A New Movie, 'In The Blood', So Let's Revisit Her Maxim Photo Shoot!"]. Maxim.
• {{IMDb name|2442289|Gina Carano}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carano, Gina}}

Category:1982 births

Category:21st-century American actresses

Category:Actresses from Dallas

Category:Actresses from Las Vegas

Category:American female kickboxers

Category:American female mixed martial artists

Category:American film actresses

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Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:American video game actresses

Category:American women television personalities

Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Gaidojutsu

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:American female Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

Category:Female models from Nevada

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Category:American female Muay Thai practitioners

Category:Kickboxers from Nevada

Category:Kickboxers from Texas

Category:Living people

Category:Mixed martial artists from Nevada

Category:Mixed martial artists from Texas

Category:Sportspeople from Las Vegas

Category:Sportspeople from Dallas

Category:The Daily Wire people

Category:University of Nevada, Las Vegas alumni

Category:University of Nevada, Reno alumni

Category:Television personalities from Texas