Catherine “Cat” Zingano (born July 23, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist. She is best known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she has fought in the women’s featherweight, bantamweight, and strawweight divisions. Zingano gained prominence as a contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate” (season 18) and for her high‑profile bouts against fighters such as Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Amanda Nunes.
Early life and background
Zingano was born in the United States; specific details regarding her place of birth are not widely documented in reliable sources. She began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2008 after a background in track and field and soccer. Zingano quickly earned a reputation for her wrestling acumen and powerful striking.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career (2009–2010)
Zingano made her professional MMA debut in 2009, compiling a 3–0 record before being selected for “The Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) reality series. On TUF 18, she won her preliminary bout to join Team Rousey and secured a victory over Raquel Pa'aluhi by TKO in the quarterfinals. She was eliminated in the semifinals by Ronda Rousey via TKO.
UFC debut and notable fights (2011–2014)
Zingano’s official UFC debut came at UFC 127 on February 26 2011, where she earned a split‑decision win over Miesha Tate. This victory earned her a “Fight of the Night” bonus. In November 2011, Zingano faced Ronda Rousey at UFC 140, losing by TKO in the first round. She later moved to the bantamweight division, challenging Amanda Nunes for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 178 on September 27 2014; she was defeated via TKO in the third round.
Later career (2015–present)
After a hiatus due to injury and personal matters, Zingano returned to competition in the featherweight division. She secured a unanimous‑decision victory over Megan Anderson at UFC 233 in January 2019. Zingano continued to compete at featherweight, with mixed results, and remained an active fighter in the UFC roster as of the latest available records (2023).
Fighting style and accomplishments
Zingano is known for a grappling‑centric style, emphasizing wrestling takedowns and ground control, complemented by powerful punches. Her accolades include:
- “Fight of the Night” bonus (UFC 127 vs. Miesha Tate)
- First‑round TKO victories over several opponents early in her career
- Participation in the inaugural UFC women’s divisions (bantamweight, featherweight)
Personal life
Zingano has spoken publicly about her experience with post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from childhood trauma, advocating for mental‑health awareness. She has also worked as a fitness trainer and motivational speaker.
Professional record (selected)
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 13–5 | Megan Anderson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 233 | Jan 26 2019 |
| Loss | 12–5 | Amanda Nunes | TKO (punches) | UFC 178 | Sep 27 2014 |
| Loss | 12–4 | Ronda Rousey | TKO (punches) | UFC 140 | Dec 10 2011 |
| Win | 12–3 | Miesha Tate | Decision (split) | UFC 127 | Feb 26 2011 |
(Record reflects professional MMA bouts up to the most recent publicly available data; further updates may have occurred after 2023.)