Strikeforce's Gina Carano to end hiatus
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Gina Carano is ready to fight again.
Following an extended hiatus from mixed martial arts, the Strikeforce star and oft-described "face of female MMA" will return to action in late June, the promotion confirmed Saturday.
“” -- 28-year-old Gina Carano
I think I just need to settle the score with myself. I need to get back in there for me.
Carano has not fought since suffering the lone defeat of her eight-bout career -- a first-round stoppage against Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos -- in August of 2009 that garnered the highest rating for any Strikeforce card on Showtime.
"I think I just need to settle the score with myself," Carano, 28, said during Saturday's Showtime broadcast from the IZOD Center. "I need to get back in there for me."
After falling out of contact for a year, the 145-pound fighter informed Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker two weeks ago of her intention to compete again.
"I knew in her heart she wanted to fight again, so we waited and now she's back," Coker said.
Coker told ESPN.com the fight against a to-be-determined opponent would take place in San Jose, Calif., likely on a card that features a welterweight championship bout between Nick Diaz and Paul Daley. Strikeforce officials will engage in discussions about prospective opponents with representatives for Carano next week, Coker said.
Carano focused on acting during her time away from the cage. She landed the roll of Mallory Kane, a black ops super soldier seeking revenge after being betrayed on a mission, in Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire," which is set for an August release. Carano acted alongside Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum and others.
"I just want to walk away from it knowing that I left it all in there," Carano said. "I left it all in the cage."
Josh Gross covers mixed martial arts for ESPN.com.
- MMA columnist for ESPN.com
- Has covered MMA since 2000
- Hosts "Gross Point Blank" podcast
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MMA HEADLINES
- Ratner says Aug. 17 event not in jeopardy
- UFC 161: Evans collects win in split decision
- Knee injury forces Pettis out of title tilt vs. Aldo
- Ex-boxing champ Bowe punished in MMA debut
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
EDITORS' PICKS
- Man Of Steal
- Burkman in the top 10 in this week's Power Rankings.
Rankings »
- Insult To Injury
- Stipe Miocic lands a place in this week's Power Rankings.
List »
- End Of The Road For Hendo?
- Back-to-back losses for Hendo doesn't bode well.
Josh Gross »