Gina Carano doesn't mind being associated with the word knockout.

Just as long as she's the one providing them.

Carano is becoming the face of women's mixed martial arts. Some of it has to do with her pretty face, and some of it has to do with her ability to beat up other pretty faces.

"Just like any fighter, I'd rather be on my own away from people before a fight," she said. "But I realize I have responsibilities outside the ring — whether it be photo shoots or interviews — and I appreciate that side of it, too."

Carano, who is from Las Vegas, will face Maryland's Tonya Evinger in a professional female bout during the EliteXC organization's "Uprising" event Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena.

It is one of five bouts that will be televised nationally on the Showtime cable network.

"I think it's definitely important for us to put on a good show," said Carano, 25. "But we're all human and all we can do is go out there and try our hardest."

Carano (4-0) has been featured in several magazines and Web sites in the past year. Thanks to her recent success in the ring, sponsorships have allowed her to become a full-time professional athlete.

"I'm always in the gym — it's like all day, every day," she said. "Even when I'm not training, I'm watching fights or thinking about fights. And on top of that I'm dieting, so it really consumes my whole life."

Carano said she first started training as a method to lose weight. She eventually dropped 30 pounds — Saturday's bout will be at 140 pounds — and realized she was pretty good at MMA.

"The first time I sparred, I bloodied three girls' noses," she said. "After that, they made me train with the guys."

Now, she trains at the same gym with world heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

In addition to winning Saturday's bout, Carano would like to win over any doubters who think females should not be involved in the sport.

"Sometimes you have to let go of stereotypes," she said. "This is a lot more world-wide than people realize. There are lots of girls out there who can do this."

Carano's father is Glenn Carano, a former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

"I don't know anything about football," she said. "My dad was really humble and he never really pushed that."

However, he wasn't exactly enamored with her choice of sports. At least not at first.

"Nobody wants to watch their baby girl get punched in the face," she said. "I think it's hard on my family, but at the same time, I think it's brought us closer together. They're all very supportive now and they love watching me fight."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.