Amanda Serrano Eyes MMA Comeback, Names Gina Carano as Dream Opponent

Amanda Serrano isn’t content to dominate just one combat sport anymore. The 37-year-old unified featherweight world champion is eyeing a return to mixed martial arts, and she’s already got her target locked in: Gina Carano.

In a conversation ahead of her boxing return this Saturday against Cheyenne Hanson in El Paso, Serrano made it clear she’s ready to step back into the cage for Most Valuable Promotions’next MMA card. The promotion, run by co-founder and CEO Nakisa Bidarian, recently hosted its first MMA event on Netflix, and apparently left a strong enough impression that Serrano wants another go.“100%. I told Jake Paul, listen, put me in coach, I’m ready to go in!”she said.“It was a great show, live on Netflix, first time MVP’s done an MMA card, and it turned out beautiful. And if they decide to do it again, maybe before I’m completely done with fighting in general, I would love to go get in that cage.”

What makes this intriguing is the specific matchup Serrano has in mind. When Gina Carano’s name came up—fresh off her recent return to the cage against Ronda Rousey—Serrano lit up at the sheer poetry of it all.“Listen, just hear the sound of it.‘Serrano vs. Carano. Serrano, Carano!'”she said with a laugh. Beyond the alliteration, though, Serrano respects what Carano brings to the fight game.“It would be an honor to go in there with such a great fighter. She’s a striker as well. She comes from a kickboxing background. So ya never know. You never know.”

That confidence isn’t unfounded. Serrano’s professional MMA record sits at 2-0-1, and both of her wins came via submission—a guillotine and a rear-naked choke. It’s a different skill set than her elite-level boxing, but one she’s clearly honed alongside her ring work. The crossover appeal alone—a dominant boxer testing herself against an MMA veteran known for her striking—would be a legitimate draw.

For now, though, Serrano’s focus is on her immediate boxing task. Hanson, a 17-2 upstart looking to make waves in the sport, will be Saturday’s challenge. The fight airs on ESPN, and Serrano has made it clear the 28-year-old won’t get the upset she’s hunting for. But once that’s done? The cage might be calling sooner than we think.