Glamorous fighter Carano gets spotlight in MMA main event

Most mixed martial artists don't face a lot of questions about their dating habits or what they're seeking in a mate.

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Gina Carano isn't like most mixed martial artists. She's a former American Gladiators star and Maxim magazine favorite whose mix of fighting prowess (7-0 record) and celebrity crossover appeal has put her in the main event of a Strikeforce card on Showtime against imposing Brazilian fighter Cris "Cyborg" Santos (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET) .

Carano wants to be a fighter first and glamorous personality second, but she has made peace with occupying a unique place in the spotlight. In a series of Showtime videos promoting the fight, she can be seen training hard but also smiling as fellow fighter Frank Shamrock flirts his way through an interview with her.

"I feel blessed that people want to get to know me and want to get to know more about me," Carano says. "But at the same time, I don't want it to take away from the seriousness of what me and other female athletes are actually doing in the cage."

And yet she finds all the attention a little perplexing.

"I don't understand why everybody focuses on my looks. There are a lot of beautiful women out there," she says.

The extra attention has helped keep Carano in the public eye despite a 10-month lapse between fights. She fought for EliteXC, sharing the fight card with YouTube phenom Kimbo Slice on CBS prime-time shows.

When EliteXC collapsed, she took her time sorting through her options, then landed with Strikeforce, which is giving Carano and Santos top billing on a fight card that originally included several title fights.

"Not since 1996 when (boxer) Christy Martin was on the cover of Sports Illustrated have we seen a female fight or event like this," Showtime senior VP Ken Hershman says.

With a women's fight as a main event, Carano has dutifully and cheerfully taken on a full schedule of media obligations, calling them "part of my job" and saying she has worked to become less awkward.

At the same time, Carano has stepped up her training. Her skills as a power puncher aren't in question, and she trains with wrestler-turned-UFC veteran Randy Couture.

But she is working to improve her conditioning after having trouble making weight for her two CBS prime-time shows. A Showtime video shows her in a workout with trainer Norm Turner, who cheerfully claims the nickname "Satan" and says he doesn't care if Carano throws up.

Carano also has to prepare for a longer fight — with a championship on the line, this bout has five five-minute rounds instead of the three three-minute rounds in her CBS bouts.

And Santos is seen as her toughest opponent yet. Oddsmakers have installed the explosive Brazilian as the favorite.

Carano isn't looking beyond this fight but mentions her other interests. She's thinking of writing a book, possibly a "based on true life" story that would protect her friends' privacy. She's also thinking about stepping out of the public eye with charitable projects overseas.

"I'm going to run away to Africa, and you guys are never going to hear from me again," Carano says, laughing.

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