Scott Coker Hopeful for Gina Carano's Return in 2011

Where is Gina Carano? This question has plagued fans for over a year now.

In August 2009, the undefeated female superstar was defeated by top female fighter Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos in a bout that crowned the first Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion.

Carano, who is considered the first major face of women’s MMA, disappeared afterwards and hasn’t been heard from since.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, Carano’s trainer, talked about the hiatus at a Q&A session with fans before UFC 117 in August.

"Gina just did a movie that’s going to be coming out soon," Couture said. "I haven’t seen her in the gym, haven’t talked to her in nine months. I’m not sure where she’s at. I know the movie is going to be very big for her, and I'd be very surprised to see her back in the cage." (Cage Potato)

Despite Couture’s skepticism, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker believes Carano will make her long awaited return in 2011.

"I know Gina is not going to go out the way that it went down," Coker told the "Savage Dog Show" on the Sherdog Radio Network. "Her whole thing is just timing and scheduling. She’s got the movie coming out in April, I believe, and she’s got some more stuff on her plate."

Carano will star in the upcoming film "Haywire". She will lead a star-studded cast consisting of Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton, and Channing Tatum.

With Carano involved in a film featuring so many Hollywood big shots, there is plenty to be skeptical about in regards to a possible MMA return.

"Like Cung Le or other people that have [been] a part of the film business, they’re still a fighter at heart, and they have that desire to compete. I think Gina will be the same. It’s just a matter of time. I believe she will fight in 2011," Coker stated.

As women’s MMA continues to heat up, fans can only hope that Carano still has the desire and drive to compete. One thing is for sure; more money is to be made in Hollywood than MMA. If forced to choose between acting in a movie or getting in a cage with "Cyborg", you better have desire, heart and all of the above should you choose the latter.

(Originally Published at SportsHaze.com)