Gina Carano “Has That Fire:” Coach Hints at Return as She Resumes Daily Training
John Wood says Gina Carano is back in the gym on a daily basis, and he believes she could fight again if she decides to pursue it. The veteran coach, who works with contenders at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, described her as training regularly with pros and hinted there could be opportunities ahead, even if no bout is signed yet.
Gina Carano Is Training With Pros Again and “Has That Fire” According to Coach
Wood explained that Carano has been at Syndicate for the past month or two, training alongside active UFC and high‑level fighters. He said they first focused for a couple of months on getting her back in shape before she began working in with professional teammates. Wood, who has known Carano and her husband Kevin Ross for around two decades, called it “pretty cool” to have them both on the mats and praised the energy they bring to the room. He stressed that any return is up to Carano, but added that he is confident she still hits hard and is capable of competing if she wants to make a comeback at 43.
According to Wood, she has “got that fire” and is “training her butt off,” which has helped fuel speculation that something may be “on the table” for the former Strikeforce title challenger.
Carano remains one of the most recognizable pioneers in women’s MMA, having gone 7–1 as a professional. She debuted in 2006 and picked up early stoppage wins before moving through EliteXC and into Strikeforce. Her last fight came in August 2009, when she faced Cris Cyborg for the Strikeforce women’s featherweight title; Cyborg won by TKO in a landmark main event on Showtime.
After leaving MMA, Carano built a substantial acting career in action roles. She starred in Steven Soderbergh’s “Haywire” in 2011, which showcased her fight background on screen. She went on to appear in “Fast & Furious 6” (2013) and in the first “Deadpool” film (2016), further establishing herself in Hollywood as a physically credible on‑screen fighter. Her highest‑profile role came on the Disney+ Star Wars series “The Mandalorian,” where she played former Rebel shock trooper Cara Dune in the first two seasons between 2019 and 2020.
That run ended in 2021, when Lucasfilm and Disney cut ties with Carano after a series of social media posts sparked widespread backlash. One post drew heavy criticism for comparing the treatment of American conservatives to the persecution of Jews under Nazi rule. Carano later filed a federal lawsuit claiming wrongful termination and political discrimination, arguing she had been punished for expressing her views. In 2025, Disney and Lucasfilm settled the case; the company issued a statement noting her professionalism on set and said they were open to exploring possible future collaborations, while the settlement ended the legal dispute.
With Carano now training daily in Las Vegas and working with a room full of active contenders, attention has shifted back to whether she might compete again after more than 15 years away from the cage. Wood has made clear that no fight is currently confirmed, yet his comments about her consistency, power, and renewed motivation have kept talk of a potential return alive.
