Ronda Rousey vs. 'Cyborg' Santos close to happening

What could be the most marketable fight in women's MMA history appears to be moving closer to reality.

Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has risen quickly during her recent title reign, yet a much-anticipated fight with currently suspended ex-featherweight champ Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos has seemingly been stalled by public bickering over a proposed weight class.

UFC president Dana White, though, suggested progress is being made.

White, whose organization also owns Strikeforce, has been one of Rousey's most ardent supporters. In fact, in recent months, he said the Olympic judoka could be the first to usher women into the UFC and even on to "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series.

But many fans want to see a fight with Santos, who was widely regarded as the most dominant female fighter before a failed steroid test and Rousey's subsequent ascent. Santos said she can't physically get much lighter than 145 pounds, and Rousey said she shouldn't have to move up from 135 pounds to accommodate her.

Could resolution be on the way? Are they getting closer to it becoming reality?

"I think we are," White said. "You've been seeing me hang around Ronda a lot, right? I've been working on it."

White, who also wouldn't count out the possibility of the fight happening in the UFC, made the comments following Friday's UFC on FX 5 event at Minneapolis' Target Center. Perhaps not surprisingly, Rousey also was in attendance.

The fight, though, is still at least a few months away. Santos, who was stripped of her title after the failed drug test this past December, received a 12-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission when she tested positive for stanozolol following a title defense over Hiroko Yamanaka. The CSAC later overturned the win and declared it a no-contest.

During her absence, Rousey has become the most recognizable face in women's MMA. While countless media appearances and the UFC/Strikeforce's marketing muscle has helped, her in-cage work has been the primary factor. Back in March, she won her title from Miesha Tate, and in August, she defended it with a win over Sarah Kaufman. Like the four pro fights (and three amateur bouts) before it, both wins came via first-round armbar.