Bellator MMA is looking to make a serious impact on who UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey fights next.

The promotion, No. 2 fight organization in the world behind the UFC, is considering adding a women’s featherweight division and is in preliminary talks with women’s MMA pioneer Gina Carano, according to MMA Fighting.

Carano, who hasn’t competed as professional mixed martial artist for five years, has been rumored to join the UFC ranks for months now – with UFC President Dana White stating outright that she would get a shot at Rousey in December in her return fight.

However, despite White indicating a deal was imminent about a month ago, Carano remains a free agent and Bellator appears to be looking to capitalize on that.

While the notion of Carano to Bellator may initially seem far-fetched, there are some factors working in the company’s favor.

For one thing, Bellator President Scott Coker is the former Strikeforce CEO – where Carano competed twice (1-1).

Furthermore, Carano has primarily fought at featherweight (145 pounds) throughout her career and hasn’t made bantamweight (135 pounds) – the UFC’s only women’s division – since June 2010.

Bellator had a women’s strawweight (115 pounds) division in their earlier days, but that weight class was dissolved one year ago.