Gina Joy Carano was born April 16, 1982. Gina Carano is an American mixed martial arts fighter. Carano appeared as the Gladiator "Crush" on American Gladiators. She has been referred to as the "face of women's MMA". Gina Carano lost by TKO to Cristiane Santos in Strikeforce's inaugural Women's Championship (145 lb) in the main event of Strikeforce: Gina Carano vs. Cyborg.
Gina Carano started her career in the sport of Muay Thai. After achieving a Muay Thai record of 12-1-1, Gina Carano received an offer to participate in the first-ever sanctioned female MMA bout in Nevada. Gina Carano was invited to the World Pro Fighting show in Las Vegas to fight Rosi Sexton from the United Kingdom.
Gina Carano won by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) and remained undefeated. After Gina Carano won the fight, she dedicated her fight to her grandfather.
The fight against Cristiane Santos was in the works for February 2009, until EliteXC folded. The possibility of the fight depended on which promotion the two women signed with next.