UFC boss on Gina Carano's contract status: It's complicated

SAN JOSE – Former Strikeforce standout Gina Carano is still on the UFC’s radar, but UFC President Dana White fell short on his targeted goal of closing a deal this week.

“It’s complicated,” White said at Saturday’s post-UFC on FOX 12 press conference in San Jose, Calif. “I’m very positive about it, but it’s complicated. I’m still working on it.”

One week ago, White told reporters that Carano “should be signed by next week” and added that, once signed, the former Strikeforce contender and movie star would get a December title shot against UFC women’s bantamweight Ronda Rousey.

White would go on to state that closing the deal done was simply a matter of getting in the same room with Carano’s lawyer. However, that deal has yet to come to fruition.

The 27-year-old Rousey notched her fourth title defense earlier this month at UFC 175 with a 16-second stoppage of Alexis Davis. She recently underwent arthroscopic surgery for a knee injury but is expected to make quick recovery. Rousey has been a driving factor in the UFC’s desire to sign Carano, citing her respect for the former Strikeforce star as a primary motivation for wanting the fight.

So while UFC officials were expected to book the fight for December, things could easily change with each passing day that Carano goes unsigned. White declined to offer any specifics on his current plan but insisted he’s staying focused on closing the deal.

“I’m still working on it,” White said. “That’s all I can say.”

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