A Q&A with MMA star Gina Carano

Mixed martial arts star Gina Carano will step into the cage Saturday night for the fight of her life, facing Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos for the inaugural Strikeforce women's championship. We caught up with this woman who is as widely adored as she is feared -- which makes sense, considering the fighter was still flashing her infectious smile in the nervous days leading up to the landmark brawl, the first ever headlined by women. Here's what she told us.

What if you woke up tomorrow and couldn't fight anymore?

I'd look into drumming. I'd get a drum of some kind, or a whole set. It's always been a weird passion of mine, but I've been all over the board with passions, so who knows if I'd actually be able to do it?

What's the last thing that made you cry?

My emotions break from the intensity leading up to the fight. I wish I had a better answer than that. I wish somebody would make me cry in life, but this happens to be life right now.

What's the last workout that made you vomit?

I haven't puked in a long time from a workout -- I was definitely very close this last training trip. It was intense, I almost lost it. I don't think I've gotten sick since basketball. No, no -- that's not true! I did Bikram yoga one time. Oh my god, have you ever done that? I had two glasses of wine the night before and I had to run out of the middle of class the next day. That's no joke, that Bikram yoga. Needless to say, I haven't been back.

What's more annoying: guys always wondering if they could take you, or guys always wondering if your breasts are real?

Ha. Probably guys meeting me and immediately sizing me up and wondering if they could take me. I mean, you don't want everyone you meet wondering if you could beat them up.

I've heard you say that cage fighting is a lot like sex. Explain that one.

Yeah, it's true! I have said that before, and I'm not sure anybody knew that I was serious. What I mean is, fighting is so real, and it's such a natural thing between two people. You're feeding off of each other's intensity; you go back and forth, and there's a strong chemistry of it all. That whole setup is very similar to sex. You have to react to each other. Sometimes the momentum flows well, and other times, one person overpowers it and it's not so nice. See, it's the same thing!

What store would you max out your credit card in?

Ooh, that's a good one. I like those stores like Sharper Image. Wait, are they still in business?

What really spins your wheels?

Music. Always music. I love finding new music. The only reason why I go on MySpace is to check out bands. I've realized that I like to listen to music with a lot of screaming in it lately -- maybe that's just because I'm focused on the fight. But generally I like really intense music of all kinds; stuff that fills the heart.

What are you afraid of?
I don't like spiders -- big or small -- but I can't kill them. I have a tiny fear of heights, and I don't watch those gory movies that are just bloody no-win situations.

You know that old adage about being alone in a dark alley with someone? Is that fear totally lost on you?

Ha, no. I have been alone in a dark alley before and it definitely raises the intensity. I'm still scared of that, because, I mean, you never know what some crazy crackhead is going to pull out these days! There's stuff I can't compete with!

What does fighting do to your life?

Fighting has put my whole life on hold. I used to really love horses. I love being told stories. I love going to theatrical plays. It's almost like this whole thing has stunted my growth. I'm still 21 in my head, I swear. When the fighting stops, I'd love to travel to Thailand, maybe build a school or something. Give back to that culture, and somehow do something for someone else. I want the experience of giving. This career is so incredibly focused on me -- the fights, the constant training. I look forward to taking the focus off of me and my body, and actually doing something for someone else.

What will happen when you open your eyes on Saturday, Aug. 15?

I'll wake up whenever I wake up -- no alarm clock. Then I tell myself to calm down because life is good. I take a shower. Get my hair braided. Then I just focus and listen to music, conserve my energy knowing that the hard work and training is done, I just have to put it in play. Eventually I get pumped and go out and do what I know I can.

It seems like we've been waiting for you to step in there forever.

Yeah, I can't wait to wake up on Saturday knowing that the day has finally arrived. It's been like a -- I don't know, I've never been pregnant before -- but I imagine that when a woman has been pregnant for nine months, she is ready to pop out the baby instead of just carrying it around. That's how I feel about this fight. I just need to have this damn baby!

If you win on Saturday, how will you celebrate?

In some small restaurant somewhere, with my coaches and friends and family. I'll just relax and breathe and be with them, and smile that the whirlwind is finally over.

Would you say Saturday will be the biggest day of your life?

Umm … you know, I don't know if I would call it that. I put a lot of life values before fighting. No doubt this will be one hell of an intense day, but I put God and family first, so there are a lot of big days in my life. … This will definitely be up there.

Source: ESPN Sports

I really like this Q&A. Good Job!

that was awesome .............im scarred of spiders too

gina's awesome

I like spiders. Mainly cos they help keep away the mosquitos which I hate more. Yesterday I found a fairly large one with one 7 legs

Anyway, nice post Ang. Cant believe I didnt comment on it 3 weeks ago, lol.

im kinda scarred of heights aswell ...and i dont really like blood either .............mmm

I love heights usually. Cept when theres no railing, then Im a little bit scared too. Depending on the situation..

I think with the blood she meant that type of horror. I dont like those either, a movie with no storyline other than to show 'exciting' ways for the bad guy to kill the others. Those just suck

I used to be terrified of heights, but not anymore.

i meant the movie blood too ill watch but ill be like ok thats too much ........... and it just get boring

I'm with Gina on the spiders and heights thing. Although, I still want to go sky diving and bungee jumping... Someone will just have to push me to get me off the cliff/bridge or out of the plane, LOL. Spiders are just hideous, any bug for that matter, creeps me out. As for those horror films, they're a spectacular waste of time... No point, and they all end the same way.

Most horrors are stupid, I agree. But once every decade or so, theres someone who actually thinks about the plot. Then it can provide for a somewhat ok horror

All bugs creep you out? Even butterflies?

Oh, and dont worry about the skydiving thing, Ill help you out

Oh I know you'll gladly help me out with those, LOL. Just remember though, I always like returning favors.

Yes, most bugs creep me out, I think it has to do with their legs/feelers or whatever. As long as they don't walk all over me, or appear in my bed then I'm fine. Butterflies included... As long as they don't touch me, I'm happy. By the way, every night before getting into bed I remove my sheets, lift up my mattress, etc, just to make sure there's nothing potentially waiting for me. Okay, so maybe I need Psychological help in that area.

Right now I am considering my options: shutting up or teling some (true) stories about bugs that might make you freak out

Ok, Ill make you a deal. If you dont return the favour when Im not wearing a parachute or bungee chord, then I will shut up. Sound good?

As for butterflies, I worked on those in Barcelona for 3 weeks. Well, I did statistics on em for 3 weeks. But I also went butterfly catching one afternoon. They are actually quite strong, I even had a bit of trouble with keeping its wings stretched. Then again, it is not surprising when you think that this butterfly flies across to barcelona from africa. Such a tiny creature against the wind. Its amazing

i think ang needs some help with her bed checking...lol jk ..

Bastiaan wrote:
Ok, Ill make you a deal. If you dont return the favour when Im not wearing a parachute or bungee chord, then I will shut up. Sound good?

It's a deal.

Alex, you're right. I definitely need help in that department... I think I might be leaning towards OCD a little bit.

na ur not it just something u got acustomed too