5 Combat sports athletes who would be a hit in WWE

#2 Former Strikeforce headliner (and big-name actress) Gina Carano could still make a major impact in WWE

Gina Carano to WWE? Stranger things have happened.

Before Carano made her name as an actress starring in films such as Haywire, Deadpool, and Fast & Furious 6, she was a pioneer for women in the sport of MMA.

Carano, nicknamed 'Conviction' during her fighting career, competed in just eight professional MMA bouts. However, the American made quite an impact during her short run in combat sports.

In just her fourth fight, Carano squared off with Julie Kedzie in the now-defunct Elite XC promotion. The bout, which Carano won via unanimous decision, was broadcast live on Showtime in the US - the first time a women's MMA fight had been shown on cable television.

Carano was a hit with the audience too. Long before Ronda Rousey's popularity opened up doors for females in the sport, Carano was charming fans with her unique mix of beauty and athleticism, something that reportedly did not go unrecognized by WWE at the time either.

More victories followed for Carano - and she built her mainstream profile up with each one. By the time Carano was beaten by MMA legend Cris Cyborg in August 2009 in a challenge for the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Championship, she already had numerous offers for outside work, including movies.

Put simply, Gina Carano no longer needed MMA. She never fought again after her loss to Cyborg, leaving the sport with a 7-1 record.

Of course, Carano is now much more widely known for playing Cara Dune in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. Carano was recently let go by producers of the show due to several controversial posts on social media.

And just like that I want to attend my first @WWEUniverse event.. @SashaBanksWWE & @QoSBaszler 💙💜💙 two of my favorites. https://t.co/2SbwIkLjAC

— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) August 4, 2020

Despite the media storm that Carano has been a part of over the past few months, she still has many attributes that WWE can capitalize on. For one, her name recognition - even given the circumstances - has never been greater.

More importantly, though, from an actual in-ring standpoint, Carano has years of both acting and professional combat sports experience to call upon if she were to perform in WWE.

It is hard to imagine Carano not excelling in professional wrestling if she has the time and desire to apply herself in the same way that others before her have done.

And just like that, I wanna whoop your ass too... you wouldn’t last in my Universe but you’re welcome to try 😈 #2BeltzBanks https://t.co/vqjaB3OKb8

— Mercedes Varnado (@SashaBanksWWE) August 4, 2020

There is a ready-made storyline in place for Carano too - if she was to become part of WWE. Sasha Banks made it known (before Carano's exit from The Mandalorian) that she would happily face the former MMA star in a WWE ring. A huge match, assuming WWE could make it happen.