UFC president Dana White: I will sign Gina Carano next week

The UFC has been in negotiations with women's mixed martial artist/Hollywood star Gina Carano throughout the past few months, but the two sides have yet to reach a deal. That could all be changing next week. 

UFC president Dana White has told ESPN.com that he and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta will be traveling to Los Angeles next week for a face-to-face meeting with Carano and her representation. 

The hope is to finally close a deal.

"One down, one to go," White said. "I'm going to meet with Gina next week and get that f---ing thing done. Next week, man.

"It's just a matter of me and Lorenzo going to jump on a plane to Los Angeles, get in a room with her and her lawyer and get this thing done."

If White gets his way and Carano joins the UFC, there will be a strong possibility she will be booked as the next challenger for Ronda Rousey's UFC women's bantamweight title. 

Rousey is currently recovering from a broken thumb that she suffered during a 16-second destruction of Alexis Davis at UFC 175 along with preparing to undergo minor knee surgery, so the champ is expected to be on the sidelines until early next year. 

Rousey had previously said she hopes to return in early 2015, so a Rousey vs. Carano bout at UFC 181 on Jan. 6, 2015 would be a very appealing fight. 

- Josh Sanchez