I’m sixteen years old and first saw Gina Carano on an American Gladiators marathon on MTV. I had watched mma with my four older brothers and dad, but until I saw her, I didn’t really know girls could fight. I didn’t know there was a place for us. Because of Gina, I was introduced to Muay Thai and took my first lesson in late December. Recently, I won my first tournament and my record is now 3-0. Throughout the competition, I thought about how amazing it is that a person who I hadn’t even met before could have such an impact on my life. Looking back, I thought the Sport was cool, now I do it because I love it. It’s a part of my life that I can’t even think of giving up. I love fighting because it’s raw and has a huge range of pure emotion. It’s humbling to get hit, yet so empowering to hit someone. One day, I hope to travel to Thailand to fight.

If I could say anything to Gina, I’d thank her. She was an inspiration for me to get into Muay Thai, and it’s evolved from a fun hobby to an amazing passion of mine. Gina has done amazing things for Women’s Fighting and has influenced so many girls to follow their dreams in a guy’s sport. If I ever get the chance to have two seconds with her, I’d try to get her to realize how many amazing movements for female athletes she’s made.

Gina Carano was profiled in a spring issue of Italian Vogue Magazine (L’uomo Vogue) The article was printed before the movie’s name change from ‘Knockout’ to ‘Haywire’. 

credit: GGB & Lukas  (imdb)

credit: Jchap

“I did a Steven Soderbergh movie with mixed martial artist Gina Carano – she’s amazing.” (belfasttelegraph.co.uk – 03/31)

Carano, who appears in famed director Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 film release “Knockout,” hasn’t fought professionally since that loss, which was the first of her career.

And though she isn’t booked for any upcoming shows, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he hopes to have her back shortly.

“We will be reaching out to her soon,” Coker said after Saturday’s latest Showtime-televised event. “She’s still part of the family.

“We miss you Gina.”

After the collapse of EliteXC, Carano signed with Strikeforce, who put together the fight with Santos, in 2009. The Carano-Santos bout actually had been long teased by EliteXC, and the pieces finally were put in place for the matchup. But the organization’s financial collapse and promotional demise scrapped the long-awaited bout.

Strikeforce officials, though, eventually signed both competitors and put the fight in the main event of their August 2009 show. (Just how big was the fight? It earned top billing over title fights of Renato “Babalu” Sobral vs. Gegard Mousasi and Gilbert Melendez vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida.)

Unfortunately for Carano, Santos continued her hot streak and posted her eight consecutive win after earning the TKO victory in the final second of the first round.

The loss spoiled Carano’s perfect 7-0 record.

Despite the now-near-yearlong layoff, Carano remains a top draw, and the 28-year-old certainly would be a welcome addition to any of Strikeforce’s upcoming CBS-televised cards.

But as of now, her return date is unknown.

You can view the original article here

On a final note, Coker addressed the future of women’s MMA postergirl Gina Carano, who is currently filming a movie and is said to be involved in a second big-budget film this year. “[Carano] still has a home here with Strikeforce and we look forward to her return,” said Coker, who stated that he would reach out to Carano when she had returned home and taken some time off after filming had wrapped. “Cung [Le] waited about 18 months before he came back, so let [Carano] go be a movie star for now.”

Contrary to reports that have suggested otherwise, Carano’s contract is a multi-fight, multi-year deal that extends well beyond what some have speculated. Coker looks forward to Carano’s return and believes that she will be part of the company’s bright future.

It’s a great interview, and worth the read, so check it out here:
MMARising.com

We wish you a very happy 28th birthday!

Much thanks from all the fans and new fighters you’ve inspired.

Here’s to another year of continuing the fight, in all its forms. 

 (DING)…

Gina! Gina!! Gina!!!

Monday, March 15th through Tuesday the 16th
Film Location – State Road 4 near American Springs Road/Dome Road

Base Camp -  West Road between the Ice rink and Camp May Road. West Road open to traffic. Intermittent traffic control at SR 4.

Wednesday the 17th through Thursday, March 18th
Film Location – Empty lot in Ponderosa Estates

Base Camp – Golf Course parking lot. Intermittent traffic control in the vicinity of Aspen Drive near Parker Construction in Ponderosa Estates.

source:  garsonstudios.com & lamonitor.com

video link 1

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Malaga City born actor- Antonio Banderas (sporting a beard and white coat) took part Wednesday  in the shooting of the film ‘Knockout’  by director Steven Soderbergh before an expectant crowd and many extras in the Reial Plaza of Barcelona.

The actor was with his co-star Gina Carano (of professional fighting) in the espionage film.

Soderbergh was seen in the morning near the Rambla del Raval, Ample street and George Orwell Plaza, sites that will also be shot.

Antonio Banderas, who since coming to Barcelona is used to roaming the city and has been seen in restaurants of the olympic port, reached the central square of Barcelona in a black minivan.

In the new film by Soderbergh, the Oscar-winning author of ‘Traffic’ (2000), Banderas heads an elite European unit that investigates Mallory Kane, the character played by nonprofessional actress Gina Carano.

‘Knockout’ has actors the  likes of Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor, both of whom are not in the city these days because their scenes do not take place in the Catalan capital.

source: WENN, imnotobsessed.com, elmundo.es, lainformacion.com

credit: GiJoCo & unbreakable

10. Gina Carano (10): This was a tough one. Most of the feedback I got in my previous rankings came from people who thought Carano had no business in the Top 10 because she’s not really committed to fighting. And I also heard that I had snubbed Rosi Sexton by leaving her off my last list. Maybe. But considering that Carano knocked Sexton out when they fought in 2006 — and considering that Carano’s only loss is to Cyborg — I’m keeping Carano in my Top 10. For now.

You can view the rest of the list here

Source:  www.mmafighting.com