All About Sports

Birth Name : Gina Joy Carano
Birth Date : April 16, 1982
Birth Place : Dallas County, Texas, USA
Profession: Mixed martial arts fighter
Claim to fame : As Crush in NBC's "American Gladiators" (2008)

Gina Joy Carano was born on April 16, 1982, in Dallas County, Texas. Gina Carano is the daugher of Glenn Carano and Dana Cason. Given that her father was the backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1977-83 and started a season for the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers, one can’t be surprised to know that she became an outstanding athlete herself; it’s simply in her genes. But the fact that the woman they call “Conviction” became the most popular female mixed martial arts fighter in America sure wasn’t expected. After all, female MMA is a relatively new thing.

Gina Carano graduated from Trinity High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she helped lead her high school basketball team to a state championship. She also attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for three years as a psychology student. Carano has a background in Muay Thai kickboxing, having trained under the legendary Master Toddy. She holds a professional record of 12-1-1 in Muay Thai, a striking style that emphasizes the use of the clinch, elbows, punches, kicks, and knees.