Gina Carano

Gina Joy Carano, born April 16, 1982, is a renowned American actress and former mixed martial artist. Carano's popularity in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) led to her being labelled as the 'face of women's MMA', a title she modestly rejected. She was incredibly prominent during her active years, between 2006 to 2009, including a significant bout with Cris Cyborg in 2009. Following her defeat, Carano made a noteworthy transition from the ring to the screen. Her first major role was in the action movie Haywire (2011), following which she made appearances in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and Deadpool (2016). She also was part of the Disney+ space Western series The Mandalorian from 2019 to 2020.

Born in Dallas County, Texas, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gina Carano is the daughter of Dana Joy Cason and Glenn Carano, a casino executive and former professional football player. Her involvement in the sport of Muay Thai saw her receive an impressive record of 12-1-1, eventually leading to her participation in MMA. After an impactful performance in her MMA debut, she was lauded for her combative skills and showcased formidable strength in several bouts. However, by the end of 2009, following her first professional MMA defeat to Cris Cyborg, she retired from active competition. Gina Carano remains under contract with UFC with four fights left on her Strikeforce contract, but has not fought since 2009.