Gina Carano stepped back into the ring this past weekend after 17 years, but her highly anticipated comeback lasted a mere 17 seconds. Ronda Rousey quickly took control, securing a takedown and locking in her signature armbar, forcing Carano to tap out almost immediately.
Carano’s coach, John Wood, expressed disappointment about the swift end. “Anything that ends in 17 seconds is disappointing,” he shared. Wood emphasized that Carano had trained hard, focusing largely on weight loss and preparing for this moment. He believed she was ready, especially after a solid fight week. “She looked so good,” he said. But against an opponent like Rousey, known for her quick knockouts, the fight was always going to be challenging.
Wood mentioned that Rousey is a seasoned fighter, capable of finishing matches in record time—she’s done it in as little as 12 seconds before. “We needed a perfect night for things to align, and fighting is hardly ever perfect,” he explained.
Despite the loss, both Carano and Wood remained upbeat about the camp’s preparation. With six months of dedicated training, Carano was eager to show her improvements. “She wanted to display all the hard work she put in,” Wood stated. The plan was to mimic Amanda Nunes’ successful strategy from her fight against Rousey in 2016, where Nunes won in just 48 seconds. The focus was on quick movements and strong jabs to fend off Rousey’s aggressive approach.
Even though Rousey’s rapid takedown caught them off guard, Wood insists they were prepared for such scenarios. “It was something we practiced,” he affirmed. Yet, in the fast-paced environment of the fight, things can shift in an instant. Wood pointed out that it was a game of split-second decisions, where even a tiny mistake could change everything.
Following the fight, Carano left feeling unfulfilled. She didn’t just train to win; she was ready for a real battle. Wood believes there’s still a possibility for her return. “I think there’s an itch that hasn’t been scratched for her,” he said. Carano enjoyed training, feeling healthier than she has in years.
As for the future, Wood thinks a comeback isn’t out of the question. “It’s not a hard no,” he noted, suggesting that the experience might ignite Carano’s passion for fighting once again.
For more on women’s MMA and the rise of fighters, check out ESPN’s coverage for expert insights and the latest stats on athlete performances.
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