Cat Zingano is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Women’s Featherweight division in Bellator MMA. She is a former UFC Bantamweight title contender, and close to being the official Bellator’s featherweight title contender. She has a Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and her personal MMA record is 12-4-0 (W-L-D).
Cathilee Deborah “Cat” Zingano was born on July 1, 1982, in Winona, Minnesota, the United States. She started with wrestling at age 12. She became a 4-time All-American and National Champion with the University of the Cumberlands and MacMurray College. Later, Cat Zingano turned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), winning many tournaments including the World Championships (Mundials) in Los Angeles, and the Rio de Janeiro State Championships in Brazil, along with several State titles in Colorado.
Cat Zingano made her professional MMA debut on June 13, 2008, versus Karina Taylor at Ring of Fire 32 – Respect. She won by armbar submission in the first round. On January 10, 2009, she recorded her second MMA victory versus Angela Samaro at Ring of Fire 33 – Adrenaline, winning by anaconda choke submission in the second round.
In 2010, Cat Zingano recorded 3 more victories versus Barb Honchak at FTW – Phenoms (via unanimous decision), Ivana Coleman at Ring of Fire 38 – Ascension (via TKO), and Carina Damm at Crowbar MMA – Winter Brawl (via TKO).
On May 14, 2011, she won another victory versus Takayo Hashi at FTW – Outlaws via KO in Round 3.
Cat Zingano signed with Invicta FC and debuted on October 6, 2012, versus Raquel Pennington. She won the fight via rear-naked choke submission.
In 2013, Cat Zingano signed with the UFC, where made her debut on April 13. She took part at the UFC – The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale and won her fight versus Miesha Tate via TKO in Round 3.
On September 27, 2014, Cat Zingano won the fight versus Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 via TKO in Round 3.
A matchup between Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano took place at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015, for the women’s bantamweight title. Zingano was quickly submitted in the fight’s opening seconds via a straight armbar.
In July 2016, Cat Zingano faced Julianna Pena at UFC 200 but again lost the fight, this tie via unanimous decision.
Cat Zingano had a year of break in her professional MMA career. She returned in the Octagon only in 2018, when had three fights. She lost to Ketlen Vieira at UFC 222 (via split decision), won versus Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 133 (via unanimous decision), and lost to Megan Anderson at UFC 232 (via TKO).
On August 14, 2019, it was announced that Cat Zingano had been released from the UFC. However, in October the same year, she signed with Bellator MMA.
Cat Zingano made the Bellator MMA debut on September 11, 2020, winning her fight versus Gabrielle Holloway at Bellator 245 via unanimous decision.
On April 9, 2021, she registered another win versus Olivia Parker at Bellator 256 via armbar submission in the first round.
Cat Zingano photos
