Gina Carano was nearly 250 pounds when she first heard from Ronda Rousey.
Rousey was pitching a future fight featuring two of the most recognizable names in women’s mixed martial arts (MMA); but first, Carano would need to work her way back into fighting shape. Fortunately for “Conviction,” out of action since summer 2009, Rousey would be turned down by UFC, giving them both more time to prepare.
Sounds like Carano needed it, based on her recent social media post.
“Vulnerable post but here we are,”
Carano, 44, wrote after the MVP MMA weigh ins. “I just weighed in at 141.4 lbs. Since Sept. 2024 to today, May 15, 2026, I have lost 100 lbs. It hurts to say that and share but I am going to share it because I worked so damn hard every week for over a year and a half to shed this weight. It did not happen overnight. If it wasn’t for having this incredibly challenging goal in fighting Ronda Rousey, I most definitely wouldn’t have reached this. I was pre-diabetic, had trouble simply walking in September 2024, and have been on the path to recovery to turn myself back into an athlete since then.“
Here’s a pic from her Fan Expo appearance in 2024:
“It was hard, SO damn hard,” Carano continued. There was so much to learn, too much to unpack here, ups, downs, plateaus, things I learned late I wish I learned earlier, trial by error but I did it. Thank you to Ronda, who waited patiently while I lost this weight and giving me something to aim for. There is still so much I need to learn and want to do in the health space and to continue transforming my body, but for today, I thank God, my husband and my family for sticking with and encouraging me the whole way. I pray this encourages you wherever you are in your health journey. Believe there is hope. Never give up. Okay, enough emo, I’ve got a fight tomorrow. We’ve worked so hard to get here. Tune in!!“
Here’s a post-weight in photo from Carano’s X account:
Rousey and Carano will fight atop the MVP MMA card on Sat. night (May 16, 2026) streaming live on Netflix from inside Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, a card that also features Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry, among others.
For the finalized “Rousey vs. Carano” fight card click here.
