Gina Carano doesn't hold back when describing what her upcoming fight against Ronda Rousey means to her—and it's nothing short of life-changing.

"It has changed my life but also saved my life," Carano told BBC Sport, her voice carrying the weight of someone who's been through the wringer and come out swinging.

This Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Carano will step into the cage for the first time in nearly 17 years. She'll face fellow American Ronda Rousey in the first MMA event ever streamed live on Netflix—a contest that insiders say could reshape the sport's landscape. Rousey herself has hinted the bout will set a new purse record for female fighters, adding even more electricity to an already charged matchup.

But the road here wasn't paved with gold. Just five years ago, Carano was navigating some of the darkest moments of her life.

After stepping away from MMA, she found success in Hollywood, landing a key role as Cara Dune in the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian. But in 2021, she was dropped from the cast after making controversial comments comparing being a Republican in the US to being a Jew during the Holocaust. Lucasfilm condemned her remarks as "denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities," and Carano soon found herself out of a job.

She sued Disney and Lucasfilm for wrongful termination and sexual discrimination, eventually settling in 2025. But in the years between, she describes being in a "very hurting place" where she "lost herself."

"I remember being under so much physical stress that my anxiety hurt so bad that my skin hurt," Carano recalled. "I was having panic attacks and it was like the whole world was caving down. That was rough, it was not the best. I worked two decades to get the career I had and everything was taken from me overnight."

Seeing her old friend and rival in such a dark place, Rousey did something unexpected. She pitched the idea of a fight between them to the UFC in 2024, believing it would benefit both women. When negotiations stalled, Rousey reached out to Carano directly. The bout eventually landed under Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), giving Carano a second chance at the sport she once ruled.

Since September 2024, Carano has transformed her body and mind, shedding 100 pounds (7 stone 2 pounds) in training. She stepped onto the scale Friday at 141.4 pounds (10 stone 1.4 pounds)—lean, focused, and ready.

For Carano, this fight isn't just about winning. It's about reclaiming her life, one punch at a time.