Gina Carano Quotes
ON RANDY COUTURE:
“Originally, when I first met Randy, it was before that SHOWTIME fight against Julie Kedzie. He just came into the locker room and said two sentences to me and it screwed my head on straight. I haven’t really gotten to work with him for the last two years I’ve been a part of Extreme Couture. We both had different things going on. I knew he would be in Las Vegas for the months leading up to this fight, so I thought it might be important for me to really not try to manage all this high level of intensity. I just didn’t want to have to deal with that all by myself, like I had to in the past. I’m not taking anything away from the managers that I’ve had, but there aren’t a lot of people that can put it straight and organize you like Randy Couture. He’s had the experience since the beginning of the sport. It was nice to not have to do it by myself and to have someone who has been through it before.”
“He sat down, and I’d never met him before. He sat down and my head was wound up a little bit too tight. He looked at me and said, ‘You know why we do this.’ And I looked at him like, ‘No, why am I doing this.’ And he said, ‘because we love it, right?’ His presence and his coolness completely took any anxiety that I was feeling and turned it into passion. I was ready to go from then. After that fight, I said if somebody can affect me that strongly I want to go train with them.”
____
“When I first came into this sport I was looking around for somebody who had come in before me and had paved the way, and I just didn’t see it at that time. I figured I would do it how I wanted to do it.”
__
“I don’t understand why everyone focuses on my looks. There are a lot of beautiful women out there. It’s just kind of thrown me off my feet with the attention that I’ve gotten. Now, I’m getting more organized and I’m taking a break from all the hype and everything so I can be more true to myself. I’m trying to do my best with the opportunities I’ve been given and I think I’m really maturing. It will be nothing but better from here on out.”
__
“I know that women’s MMA is going to do nothing but get bigger from here on out. To have the first main event in MMA history, against Cyborg of all people, is just going to be amazing for me. It’s such an honor, and since it’s such an honor I just don’t feel the added pressure. I think it’s a win-win situation.”
__
“I’m honored to be a part of such a great sport. I think that it has changed my life in a lot of ways and redirected me. I’ve learned so much about the world through this sport.”
__
“For this fight, it’s one of the biggest honors and it almost makes me choke up to say that I’m going to be able to fight such a wonderful opponent. It’s such a big deal for females in this sport. There are so many of them out there and there are going to be so many more in the years to come.”
__
I just like the mentality of fighting and I like to be physical and it’s just I think it’s one of the most honest sports out there. In basketball and other sports, you can fall down and over-exaggerate it, but in fighting it’s so honest.
__
I guess my game plan is really to fight the fight. People come from wrestling and other places, but the beauty of MMA is that anything goes. And so I just need to remember that if I get stuck on the ground to get on my feet.
__
Well, there’s been a little bit of pressure. But I started fighting when nobody was watching and I’ll continue fighting whether people are watching or not. I just love the positive energy. People want to (can) put me wherever they want to put me, that’s fine. (on if she feels pressure being called the face of women’s MMA)
__
My life my real life hasn’t really changed, but the exposure has. It has been awesome. I have to just keep organized and keep myself together because if not I’m not going to fight well. So it’s nice. It’s beautiful. And I love all the fans and I love all the people that give me positive energy back. I’m trying to keep a level head about it.
__
I would say the best thing is the sport is getting more popular and getting more fans and attracting new fighters from other places. The worst thing about it is probably is it still is so young. It’s got a long ways to go and it’s still making baby steps compared to the other sports.
__
LOSS TO CYBORG:
I wanted to take time to collect my thoughts and speak from the heart rather than spew out some cliché anecdote about a tough loss. I know I am a better fighter than the way I performed that night and was heartbroken to not give more to those who have been inspired. However, I find some relief in knowing that this has never been only about me, and now more than ever I feel freedom to learn and grow at my own pace. I make it a point to constantly remind myself throughout this journey who I am, what I am doing, and why. Life is the most amazing gift and I want to live it for the right reasons. To my family, coaches, management… thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me, loving and encouraging me. Also a special thanks to the fans who support me from their computers at home, watch me on television and scream for me in the stadiums. Because of you, barriers have been broken down and you have inspired me to believe in a larger dream. Congratulations to Cris Cyborg and the women of MMA who have a great platform to shine. I am more excited than ever for female fighters and this amazing sport which has transformed my life. God Bless.
Gina Carano on ESPN
Gina Carano is the real deal–a very dedicated and talented fighter who has a great mindset to be a champion in the sport. Is she the best female fighter in the world? You can’t give her that title she has to take on the best and beat them to earn that accolade.
Carano has a very positive attitude and is a great ambassador for not just women’s MMA, but MMA in general. She definitely would not be where she is at without her physical beauty, but she definitely is a true fighter and a very genuine and kind person outside the cage. I can understand how other female fighters who have been in the business would feel like they’re being slighted in not receiving the recognition and opportunities as Carano, who has had many doors opened to her due to her sexy image. Unfortunately for those fighters who do not possess the unique combination of top caliber beauty in conjunction with a heapful of brawn, they have to face the reality of the “sex sells” aspect of the business world.
Ticket sales, pay per view buy-related issues unfortunately allow some athletes to receive more lucrative opportunities in the business world, and despite all the positive points attributed to the sport we all love, it still coexists within a domain that has to cater the bottom line. Brock Lesnar was able to leap towards a title shot way quicker than any rookie fighter who would enter into the UFC and likely fueled some resentment from his heavyweight brethren. Nonetheless, it was the fact that he had such a big name and could bring in such a huge amount of attention and money to the table that allowed him to jump into a main event, receive a title shot and become a marquee fighter in the organization. Did he deserve it? No. Did he make the most of it? Yes.
In the that’s what it comes down to, making the most of whatever opportunity arises. It’s analogous to the fights we watch. The fighters who win often are not the best or the most talented, but they just make the most of an opportunity. They might strike first, capitalize on the opportunity that comes up, or perhaps never give up despite the circumstances and find some opening to score a victory.
Some situations might not be “fair” but you do the best you can and control all the variables you have in your disposal. Former UFC champ Forrest Griffin said it quite well when he talked about training. All he worries about is doing the most he can possibly do in training and work as hard as possible to win his upcoming fights. He controls all the variables at his disposal. He said:
“The thing I always say is control all the variables you can control, don’t worry about the rest..There’s a little prayer they give to the druggies and alcoholics, ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.’ Yeah I live by that.”
Carano Signs with Round 5 to Create Figurine
A FIGURE WITH “CONVICTION”: CARANO TEAMS WITH ROUND 5 TO CREATE COLLECTIBLE
Face of Female MMA Latest Star To Develop Figurine
MARKHAM, Ontario, Canada, February 24, 2009 – Known to many as the “face of female mixed martial arts,” Gina “Conviction” Carano has parlayed great ability in the cage and a glamorous look out of it to burst onto the MMA scene and in many ways transcended the sport. Now, the unbeaten star has announced she will be working with Round 5, the leader in collectible MMA figurines, to produce a figure that reflects her stardom. Carano joins an All-Star lineup of 13 MMA standouts who currently work with Round 5.
Carano, 26, gained notice for her success in the cage and has earned additional attention with appearances as “Crush“ on the NBC television series “American Gladiators“ and by serving as a mentor/coach on the Oxygen network series “Fight Girls.“ She is also in many ways a pioneer in women’s MMA, competing in the first-ever sanctioned bout in Nevada in September 2006 and in the first female bout (boxing or MMA) on the Showtime Network in February 2007. She currently owns a 7-0 record in MMA competition.
“Gina Carano has emerged as a star, not just in MMA but in the mainstream,” said Damon Lau, Round 5 President. “As the first female in the Round 5 line, we expect her figurine to be popular among the sport’s enthusiasts as well as those who have seen her on TV or in magazines.”
“I’m incredibly blessed to be a part of so many wonderful opportunities and to now be included in Round 5’s line up of gifted fighters is another exciting privilege,” said Carano. “When I was a little girl my dad always joked about making a ‘Gina doll’ and I smile when I think it has become a reality. It is both humbling and invigorating to consider this is just the beginning with so many other gifted women whose figurines are yet to be made.”
The Carano figurine is tentatively scheduled to be released as part of Series 4, which is planned for a summer 2009 release. As in the earlier Series, Carano will maintain creative control of her likeness, including the pose, facial design and shorts. She will have a major hand in creating the final design and will benefit from a royalty agreement that gives her a considerable portion of the proceeds from the sale of her unit.
Round 5 has announced partnerships with 13 mixed martial arts stars to date, with eight figurines already available: Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Tito Ortiz (Series 1); and Rich Franklin, Sean Sherk, Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva (Series 2). Series 3 figurines are scheduled to be available in April, featuring Andrei “The Pit Bull” Arlovski, “Big John” McCarthy, Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. International superstar Fedor Emelianenko has also signed on and will be in a future Series in 2009.
Round 5 collectible figures may be purchased at leading retailers such as Toys ‘R’ Us (Canada), Champs Sports and FYE. Other retailers can be found at www.Round5MMA.com/wheretobuy.php.
In addition to Carano, Round 5 plans to release collectibles of three more series of athletes in 2009, one during each quarter. Other athletes to be represented in those series are yet to be announced.
About Round 5
Round 5 (www.Round5MMA.com), headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada, is the MMA industry’s fastest growing worldwide collectible figure company. Committed to developing intricately detailed figures, Round 5 strives to remain true to the sport of MMA and its personalities.
fast strike: UFC president Dana White on Gina Carano
“Gina Carano is a star, I think she’s talented. I think she’s got all the tools, so what I’m willing to do is bring Gina into the WEC. We could do fights whenever there’s a challenger for Gina. That’s how I’ll test the waters and see how it goes.”
Women’s MMA: Gina Carano on WFAN in New York
Gina Carano was interview on WFAN in New York today:
http://www.wfan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=2991254&topic=true
EliteXC Press Conference Open To Public At BAC (Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano etc.)
FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC –
THIS WEDNESDAY, 2 P.M., BANKATLANTIC CENTER
FOR SATURDAY’S PRIMETIME
CBS ELITEXC FIGHT CARD
WHO/WHAT: The CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS fighters and those appearing
on the undercard will participate in the FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
before the big event, Saturday, Oct. 4, at the BankAtlantic Center at Sunrise, Fla.
The third installment of CBS’s primetime MMA event will be broadcast live
on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.
The televised lineup for CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS:
Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock (heavyweights); EliteXC 170-pound
champion Jake Shields vs. Paul Daley; Andrei Arlovski vs. Roy “Big
Country” Nelson (heavyweights); Gina Carano vs. Kelly Kobold (140
pounds); and Murilo ”Ninja” Rua vs. Benji Radach (middleweights).
Tickets start at $30 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone
at (954) 523-3309 in Broward County , (305) 358-5885 in Dade County and
(561) 966-3309 in Palm Beach County , online at www.ticketmaster.com
and at the BankAtlantic Center box offices (954) 835-7825.
The BankAtlantic Center box offices’ normal business hours are 10 a.m.-
6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The box office will be open the day of the
event beginning at 10 a.m. The first live fight begins at 6 p.m. ET.
WHERE: Chairman’s Club at BankAtlantic Center
1 Panther Parkway ; Sunrise , Fla. 33323
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008; 2 p.m. ET
Women’s MMA: Gina Carano on ‘The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson’ Tonight
Gina Carano, will be a guest on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on CBS, Monday night (September 29th). The show airs at 12:35am PST.
Other scheduled guests are Melina Kanakaredes (of “CSI:NY”) and Marg Helgenberger (from “CSI”).
Gina will be promoting her upcoming EliteXC fight this Saturday, October 4th on CBS. Other fights on that card include Andrei Arlovski vs Roy Nelson and the much-anticipated Kimbo Slice vs Ken Shamrock.
KIMBO SLICE AND GINA CARANO OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Legends Mixed Martial Arts Training Center, Los Angeles
There was a tremendous turnout at the Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano open media workout Wednesday at Legends Mixed Martial Arts Training Center in Los Angeles. The fighters will appear on the upcoming third installment of CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, broadcast live from the BankAtlantic Center, in Sunrise, Fla., on Saturday, Oct. 4 (9-11 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
A major attraction, the undefeated, incredibly popular Kimbo, of Perrine, Fla., near Miami, will face legendary Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock in a featured fight on a stellar, star-studded mixed martial arts card that includes women’s superstar Gina “Conviction” Carano and MMA standouts Jake Shields, Paul Daley and Murilo “Ninja” Rua.
Tickets start at $30 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (954) 523-3309 in Broward County , (305) 358-5885 in Dade County and (561) 966-3309 in Palm Beach County , online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the BankAtlantic Center box offices (954) 835-7825.
The BankAtlantic Center box offices are located on both the North and South sides of the main entrance. Their normal business hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The box office will be open the day of the event beginning at 10 a.m.
The first live fight begins at 6 p.m. ET. The event is presented by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc .’s live fight division, EliteXC.
Besides Kimbo-Shamrock, Shields defends his EliteXC welterweight belt against Daley, Carano collides with Kelly Kobold in a 140-pound bout and Rua, a former EliteXC middleweight belt-holder, faces Benji Radach at 185 pounds.
Cristiane “Cyborg’’ Santos meets Yoko Takahashi and Florida-based Edson Berto faces Hawaii’s Mike Aina at 170 in top undercard fights. The undercard also will feature Florida favorites Crafton Wallace and Seth Petruzelli, who will face foes to be announced. Wallace has won four straight and six of seven. Petruzelli, a former cast member of the Ultimate Fighter, has won eight of his last 10 fights.
What the fighters had to say Wednesday:
KIMBO SLICE:
“Once again, I’m fighting back in the crib. It feels like the backyard except, in EliteXC, we have a cage.
“I’m looking forward to beating Ken (Shamrock) and kicking his butt.
“I’ll kick his butt and let you guys take names. I’m hoping to see the best of Ken because he’ll see the best of Kimbo.
“My camp has pushed me harder than ever before. I have the endurance and I am prepared to go the distance. I doubt this fight will go the distance, but if it does, I’m ready.
“I’m like a sponge. I pick up something from everyone I work with. If something doesn’t work in the cage I will switch it up to something that does. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.
“I’ve worked on punches, takedowns, takedown defense, chokes, armbars, you name it. Anything that Shamrock tries on me, I am prepared for.
“Nothing is going to stop me once that fight starts. I’ll fight with a broken arm if the referee doesn’t stop the fight. I will be unstoppable on Oct. 4.
“I’ve envisioned anything that can happen in the cage. I’m ready for anything that can possibly go down.
“I question Ken’s ground game. He’s going to try and find a way to make me uneasy, but that’s not going to happen. I’m never uptight.
“Bas (Rutten) has done everything he can to help me. Bas and Randy (Khatami) have made me a complete and well rounded fighter.
“Everyday I train it’s a serious problem for all the heavyweight fighters out there. Everyday I get better and they should all be scared.
“LaDainian Tomlinson was a good guy to work out with. That was a lot of fun.
“EliteXC and CBS are a good thing for the sport. This is making the sport bigger and better. If it wasn’t this big, think about what you and I would be doing.
“Against (James) Thompson I learned that no matter what happens, nothing will hurt me. It’s mind over matter. Mentally, I knew I was alright. It may have looked like I was in trouble, but I was fine. It’s mind over matter.
“Nothing really scares me, except for myself. At times, I find myself unpredictable. It’s a mental struggle. A mental fight.
“I love training with Bas and Randy. I know how to control my entire game right now.”
GINA CARANO:
“I’ve got one of the toughest fights of my life coming up. I’m coming ready to fight. I’m going to give it my all.
“I’ve handled the press and won’t let it get to my head. I’m just living my life and doing my best.
“It’s been unbelievable to be at the forefront of women’s MMA. Raising the recognition of the sport has been a blessing. The fan support has been amazing. I’m standing up here because of the fans.
“There is something so pure and honest about two women fighting. The fans just love it.
“Randy and Kim, the whole Extreme Couture family, is tough. They expect the best from me and push me to my limits.
“My dad told me to stay in school because he wanted the best from me. But I think I’ve learned some of the best lessons in life from fighting. I don’t have the college degree I was going for, but I have the experiences.
“ America is a strange place to be when you are a star. I wish our culture would respect people as human beings and not as objects. When you’re in the spotlight they love you, but that is very short lived.
“This training camp has been going very well. I have a lot of knowledge of what I’ve been doing right and what I’ve been doing wrong.
“I’m a fighter. My job is to fight.
“EliteXC is doing great things for the sport. I’m not trying to be a promoter. I just put on a good show and hope that people watch it.
“I am a recognized female in the sport, but I don’t think that I am the face of women’s MMA. It’s just a label. I’m Gina Carano. You can label me that.
“I am a different person everyday. I may not look my best at a weigh in, but I’ll be good the next day.
“Kelly (Kobold) is well rounded and she is coming to fight. I’m glad I’m going to be tested.
“My game plan is to fight a good fight. I’ve been studying her style, how she reacts under pressure and when she gets hit, but nothing compares to when you get in there and the fight starts.
“I’m a fighter first and foremost. American Gladiators was a good experience. I’m motivated by learning experiences, not by money or fame, so it opened my mind to a lot of things.
“Everyone has their own niche in life. I just seem to gravitate towards physical violence.”