At 5’11” and a lean 130 pounds, Gina Carano cut an imposing figure in the Octagon during her prime, and it’s safe to say her head coach, Craig Gordon, still believes she packs a punch that can drop most opponents. “She hits like a grown f*cking man,” he said in a recent interview, praising Carano’s intense training regimen ahead of her highly anticipated showdown with UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey.
Rising to the Challenge
It’s been over a decade since Carano last stepped into the Octagon, and the 39-year-old is well aware of the doubts surrounding her return to competition. Despite this, she’s been putting in the work, training with a new group of teammates and fine-tuning her skills in a bid to take down the formidable Rousey. According to sources close to Carano, she’s been working tirelessly with Gordon, incorporating a range of techniques into her repertoire to address Rousey’s feared ground game.
“We’ve been working on her grappling a lot,” said Gordon, highlighting the importance of Carano’s preparation. “She’s always had great striking, but this time we wanted to make sure she had a solid ground game to fall back on.” Carano’s teammates have also been effusive in their praise, with many acknowledging her sheer determination and work ethic.
The Key to Success
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Carano’s return has been her inactivity since 2009. Many have wondered whether she’s done enough to stay competitive in the modern MMA landscape. However, Gordon believes that Carano’s prolonged layoff has actually given her an advantage.
“The thing about Gina is that she’s been away from the game for so long, she’s had the luxury of being able to recharge,” he explained. “She’s got fresh eyes, and she’s coming in with a newfound sense of purpose. She’s also learned a lot from her time out of the sport, and that’s given her a different perspective on things.” With Rousey awaiting her in the Octagon, Carano knows she’ll need every ounce of skill and determination she can muster if she’s to emerge victorious.
A Glimpse into the Future
Carano’s showdown with Rousey is fast approaching, and the hype surrounding the bout is building by the day. While some have written her off as a relic of the past, Carano’s teammates remain confident in her abilities. As one of her training partners put it, “She’s still got it – she’s still a force to be reckoned with.” With Rousey looming large, Carano’s got her work cut out for her. But she’s not one to back down from a challenge.
