Dotseth’s Blog: Will Carano Return?

So there are rumors out there that Gina Carano will return to MMA in 2011. Usually rumors are just that, but in this case the source is Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, so you have to pay attention.

Carano was without question the face of Women’s MMA up until her loss to Cris “Cyborg”Santos in August of 2009. Carano is not only well spoken, but she has model good looks which made her appealing to fans, sponsors, and a major network like CBS. After her loss to Santos, you didn’t hear much from Carano, all you knew was she was going to try her hand at acting.

Well, we can all see for ourselves how Gina is on the big screen when her movie “Haywire” which co-stars Michael Douglas comes out in January. As an MMA fan, and a fan of Carano’s, I wonder why shy would want back in. She was beat up by Santos in her last fight, and now that other doors have opened for her, it seems there are plenty of better ways for her to make a living that don’t involve cutting weight, or getting punched in the face.

If she indeed does comeback, it speaks volumes about the fighter’s heart. It would be easy to walk away and move on to the bigger and better things that Hollywood can provide.

The one thing Hollywood cannot provide though is the thrill of competition. The one on one battles that these fighters live for, and at her core Carano is no doubt a fighter.

Who does she fight? It really doesn’t matter if she fights Santos again, because no matter who the opponent is, she is still going to get ratings. That is a huge deal for Strikeforce who has not been on CBS since the post-fight brawl in Nashville.

What better way to get back on Network TV then the return of Gina Carano. If you could time it with the return of Fedor, that would make it very hard for CBS to pass on that card, and instead give it to Showtime.

You can understand Coker’s excitement (and in a sense hope) at the idea of a Carano return, but until I hear it from her, It’s still just a rumor…