Carano finds lifeline in Rousey fight after Disney firing
Gina Carano expresses deep emotion when discussing the significance of her upcoming fight against Ronda Rousey.
"It has changed my life but also saved my life," Carano tells .
On Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Carano will compete for the first time in nearly 17 years, facing fellow American Rousey in the first MMA event to be broadcast live on Netflix.
The bout is expected to impact the MMA landscape significantly, with Rousey stating the fight will establish a new purse record for female fighters.
Carano has much to be proud of, but just five years ago she faced some of the most challenging times of her life.
During her hiatus from MMA, Carano pursued acting and secured a prominent role as Cara Dune in the Star Wars franchise spin-off The Mandalorian.
In 2021, she was removed from the cast following comments comparing being a Republican in the US to being a Jew during the Holocaust.
Carano filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and sexual discrimination, while Lucasfilm condemned her remarks for "denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities."
She settled her lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm in 2025 but describes the preceding years as a "very hurting place" where she "lost herself."
"I remember being under so much physical stress that my anxiety hurt so bad that my skin hurt," said Carano.
"I was having panic attacks and it was like the whole world was caving down. That was rough, it was not the best.
"I worked two decades to get the career I had and everything was taken from me overnight."
Recognizing Carano’s difficult situation, Rousey proposed a fight between them to the UFC in 2024, believing it would benefit both athletes.
After negotiations stalled, Rousey contacted Carano directly, and the bout eventually materialized under Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).
Carano reports losing 100lb (7st 2lb) since September 2024 while training for the fight, weighing in at 141.4lb (10st 1.4lb) on Friday.
"This fight focused me and gave me purpose to aim for something, not just physically, but it consumed me," added Carano.
"It was incredible to be able to aim all my energy towards something.
"My health is so much better and I feel like myself, I feel comfortable in my skin, I feel alive and I'm grateful every day."
Respect and history between Carano and Rousey
While media attention has largely focused on Rousey, known for her promotional skills and efforts to transform MMA, Carano is an ideal counterpart.
Both are pioneers in MMA, with Carano arguably paving the way for Rousey’s rise in 2009.
In 2009, Carano fought Cris Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce featherweight title in the first major MMA event headlined by two women.
Although Carano lost and has not fought since, she played a crucial role in demonstrating that women belonged at the highest levels of MMA.
Rousey acknowledges this, stating Carano "inspired her when she was sitting on the couch one day."
The respect Rousey holds for Carano has been evident throughout fight week, with the former UFC champion praising her opponent.
After Friday’s official weigh-ins, Rousey waited for Carano to finish and greeted her with a hug after she made weight for their featherweight bout.
"I've never been able to give back to her," said Rousey.
"If she gets the greatest comeback story of all time I'd be happy to be part of it."
A fight between the two was discussed in 2014 when Rousey was at her UFC peak and a global sports star, but it did not materialize.
Some critics argue that with Rousey at 39 and Carano at 44, the contest may not be as competitive as it could have been, but both have dismissed such criticism.
For Carano, simply returning to fight on a major stage is a significant personal achievement.
"You see so many fighters say they are going to come back but people underestimate the strength and commitment it takes to come back," said Carano.
"And not just come back but to face someone incredibly legendary like Ronda. We're making a dream come true for both of us."
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