March 10, 2026, Inglewood, California, USA: MMA fighter and actress GINA CARANO is introduced during a pre-fight press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz for Netflix s Rousey vs Carano event. Inglewood USA - ZUMAp224 20260310_znp_p224_003 Copyright: xBrandonxPollardx
March 10, 2026, Inglewood, California, USA: MMA fighter and actress GINA CARANO is introduced during a pre-fight press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz for Netflix s Rousey vs Carano event. Inglewood USA - ZUMAp224 20260310_znp_p224_003 Copyright: xBrandonxPollardx
Apr 4, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT
"Best females in his gym": Gina Carano on training with John Wood & Merab Dvalishvili
Ahead of her fight with Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano appeared on the Jaxxon Podcast with coach John Wood. During the interview, she opened up about what training at Wood's Syndicate MMA has been like.
The discussion began when host, former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping, asked Wood about Carano's training.
"The intensity will change, the time. Again, we're going to do this the smart way to make sure that we're putting the best version of Gina Carano out there, the healthiest version, getting her to the fight is numero uno," replied Wood.
He added that he has brought in a team of some of the best coaches and training partners to help them train better for the fight. "He has some of the best female athletes... best females in his gym right now," added Carano.
Gina Carano Actress 66th British Academy Film Awards The Royal Opera House, London, England, UK 10 February 2013 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: MaryEvansxAllstarxGrahamxWhitbyxBoot 12286669
Gina Carano Actress 66th British Academy Film Awards The Royal Opera House, London, England, UK 10 February 2013 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: MaryEvansxAllstarxGrahamxWhitbyxBoot 12286669
Bisping jokingly asked Carano if former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, who also trains under John Wood, is one of her sparring partners.
Gina Carano did post about training with the Georgian MMA icon last month. However, she admitted that Dvalishvili's intensity would be too much for her to handle regularly.
"Are you kidding me? I would not make it to the fight," joked Carano.
What made Gina Carano choose John Wood as her coach?
Carano explained that her decision to train with Wood came after visiting his gym and working with him briefly. She explained that Wood's passion and knowledge of the sports impressed her.
"I came and worked with John one day, and I was like, 'S***, we got to get down there now.' And so, we went back up [to Montana], and we got down as soon as we could," she said on the podcast.
Following that initial session, Carano decided to relocate to Las Vegas, where Wood was based, and begin camp.
Menwhile coach John Wood was equally impressed with Carano. "She’s got the fire back. She’s motivated, training every day. It’s really cool to see. She’s still got the power, the snap, the pop — everything’s there," he said in February.
So who will you be cheering for? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Written by
Ruwa Javed
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi