Strikeforce Fight Card Results: Gina Carano Announces Return to MMA

Will Gina Carano ever fight again? This question has plagued fans for over a year.

Once considered the face of women's MMA, Carano disappeared from the spotlight shortly after being dominated by current Strikeforce Women's Middleweight Champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos.

In August 2010, UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture, Carano's trainer, talked about the hiatus at a Q&A session with fans.

"Gina just did a movie that's going to come 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."

Despite Couture's skepticism, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker insisted Carano would make her long-awaited return in 2011.

"Like Cung Le or other people that have [been] apart 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," said Coker.

Coker's assumptions were supportly recently as pictures of Carano working out at Xtreme Couture lit up the net. The pictures only fueled the questions of fans. What was Carano doing back at Xtreme Couture? Is she coming back to MMA?

At Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva, Gina "Conviction" Carano finally stepped from the shadows to address MMA fans.

"Yes [I'm back]," Carano said.

Plenty of cheers from attending fans met Carano's announcement at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

With the great news, fans can only hope that Carano is prepared to put in the work necessary to compete at an elite level. In a division ruled by Cyborg, there's no room for half-hearted attempts at a comeback.

Speaking of Cyborg, some may question Carano's decision to return at all, especially after the beat down she suffered at the hands of the top pound-for-pound queen of women's MMA.

"I think I need to settle the score with myself. I need to get back in there for me," said Carano.

Carano's Hollywood looks and alluring smile tend to overshadow her exceptional abilities inside the cage. Before the bout with Cyborg, Carano had a spotless record with seven straight wins.

Whether you're a fan of Carano or not, you have to respect what she's done for the sport. Her memorable war with Julie Kedzie in February 2007 was a turning point in women's MMA, as it garnered respect for female fighters and represented their arrival on the big stage.

While she hopes for a 2011 return, Carano wasn't ready to set a timetable for when she expects to be back in action.

"I need to put in some gym time," Carano chuckled.

(SportsHaze.com Originial)