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MMA pioneer and action film actress
Carano headlined the first major women's MMA event in Strikeforce history against Cris Cyborg in 2009, cementing her status as a pioneer who helped legitimize women's mixed martial arts.
Gina Carano was born on April 16, 1982, an Aries whose competitive fire drove her to become a pioneering force in women's MMA. She compiled a 7-1 record in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, headlining the first major women's MMA event alongside Cris Cyborg in 2009. Though dubbed the 'face of women's MMA,' Carano rejected this title, preferring to forge her own path. Standing 5'8", she transitioned from the cage to Hollywood, landing lead roles in Haywire (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), and Deadpool (2016) before portraying Cara Dune in The Mandalorian from 2019 to 2020. Disney fired her from the series in 2021 following controversial social media posts, leading to a wrongful termination lawsuit in 2024 that ended in settlement in 2025.
Carano grew up in Las Vegas after her parents divorced when she was seven, leading her high school basketball team to a state championship while also excelling in volleyball and softball. She studied psychology at University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas before her boyfriend Kevin Ross, a pro Muay Thai fighter, introduced her to martial arts. She dominated Muay Thai with a 12-1-1 record before Jamie Levine offered her the chance to compete in Nevada's first sanctioned female MMA bout in 2006, which she won in 38 seconds against Leiticia Pestova.
Carano is not married and has kept her romantic relationships relatively private, though she dated Muay Thai fighter Kevin Ross early in her fighting career. She maintains an active presence on Instagram where she shares updates about her projects and personal views. The daughter of casino executive and former NFL player Glenn Carano and Dana Joy Cason, she is the middle of three sisters and was raised primarily by her mother in Las Vegas.
Stands 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.73 meters), making her one of the taller women in MMA competition.
Born on April 16, 1982 under the Aries zodiac sign, traits that matched her competitive and pioneering spirit in the cage.
Rejected the title 'face of women's MMA' despite her popularity, preferring to maintain her independent identity.
Won her professional MMA debut in just 38 seconds with a knockout against Leiticia Pestova.
Failed to make weight before her fight against Kaitlin Young, forcing her to weigh in three times and eventually removing all clothing to reach 141 pounds.
I didn't get into this sport to be famous. I got into it to compete and prove myself.
The critics can say whatever they want, but I know who I am and what I stand for.
Born on April 16 in Dallas County, Texas
Made professional MMA debut, winning in 38 seconds in Nevada's first sanctioned female MMA bout
Fought in the first female bout in Strikeforce history against Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce: Triple Threat
Competed in the first televised female MMA fight on Showtime, winning Fight of the Night against Julie Kedzie
Headlined Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, the first major MMA event with women in the main event, losing by TKO in the first round
Retired from MMA with a professional record of 7-1
Made film debut in leading role in Steven Soderbergh's action thriller Haywire
Appeared in Fast & Furious 6 as Agent Luke Hobbs's partner
Portrayed mutant Angel Dust in Marvel's Deadpool
Cast as Cara Dune in the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian
Fired from The Mandalorian by Disney following controversial social media posts
Filed wrongful termination lawsuit against Disney
Reached settlement with Disney in wrongful termination lawsuit