Gina Carano’s talks with UFC ‘getting close’

Last week, UFC president Dana White hinted that significant news about the potential fighting future of pioneering women’s MMA star Gina Carano could come down this week.
Well, it’s already been a banner week filled with blockbuster news, bu…

Last week, UFC president Dana White hinted that significant news about the potential fighting future of pioneering women’s MMA star Gina Carano could come down this week.

Well, it’s already been a banner week filled with blockbuster news, but as of yet, a deal to bring her in for a presumed title fight against women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has yet to get done.

However, substantial progress has been made toward getting a deal done, MMAFighting.com‘s Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight.

According to Helwani, sources close to the negotiations indicate the talks are “doing a lot better,” than they had previously, characterizing a potential contract deal as “getting close.”

If signed, Carano would be expected to go right into a title fight against the undefeated Rousey late in the year. This potential move has divided the MMA community between those who point out that Carano would leapfrog ranked contenders despite being five years removed from her most recent fight, and those who believe such concerns are overridden by the fact the bout would likely do major business.

Another bit of women’s MMA news reported by Helwani on UFC Tonight is that Jessica Eye has volunteered her services to be Holly Holm’s first opponent in the company. Eye (10-2, 1 NC) was last seen in the Octagon losing a tight split decision to Alexis Davis at UFC 170. While Holm, the former world women’s boxing champ recently signed with the UFC after amassing a 7-0 MMA record with six knockouts.