Gina
Carano fighting in the UFC never became a reality. | Dave
Mandel
Before Gina Carano
and Ronda
Rousey were booked to fight on Netflix as part of Most Valuable
Promotions’
first MMA event, there was some discussion that the fight might
happen under the
UFC banner.
According to Rousey, that possibility ended with the Paramount deal
— which eliminated the UFC pay-per-view model for numbered events.
Now, Rousey and Carano will meet on May 16 as part of the first
ever MMA card on Netflix.
It wasn’t the first time Rousey vs. Carano in the UFC was
discussed. When “Rowdy” was still UFC champion, Dana White
confirmed that there were discussions to bring Carano into the
promotion for a high-profile fight between the two stars more than
a decade ago. Ultimately, the bout didn’t come to fruition.
As for Carano, she admits that competing in the UFC would have been
a big deal.
“I really wanted to. I really wanted to do the UFC, make that
walk,” Carano said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.”
However, since Carano wasn’t really part of those discussions, she
can’t really say how close they were to becoming a reality this
time around.
“I don’t know. That would be between Ronda and Dana,” Carano said.
“She really led the way. She led the way one thousand percent. I
just said yes.
“And then when their negotiations weren’t going anywhere, she
called me personally. And then we had dinner and we actually talked
about it, because we call them the suits. The suits can get in the
way.”
No Stopping Her
Carano admits to occasionally watching Rousey’s fights or acting
endeavors, but she wasn’t keeping especially close tabs on the
former UFC champion in recent years. Fighting Rousey wasn’t really
on her radar, either. Carano will be returning to MMA for the first
time since 2009, and now that the date is on the horizon, the fight
has her full attention.
“She’s been following me and tracking me and probably knows a whole
lot more about me than I know about her. And this is a fight that
she’s always wanted,” Carano said. “It wasn’t like something I had
to do, but now that I’m doing it, I’m so glad. I’m so glad that I’m
doing it. Now I feel like there’s no stopping me.”