Cat Zingano will finally return to the UFC octagon — and the who and when has finally been answered!
Just a couple of days ago, ‘Alpha’ Cat Zingano got the MMA world talking by announcing she had a timetable set for her return. Not only that, she had an opponent as well. That was big news, as the former bantamweight title challenger has been out for some time. Now, following a report by MMA Brazil, the who, where, and when has finally arrived.
I have who. I have where. I know when. It's time. #teamalphacat #alphacatzingano #catzinganomma #acz #ufc #fightlife @ufc pic.twitter.com/3Svvhve7cH
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) November 16, 2017
According to the report, and later confirmed by MMA Fighting, Zingano will face Ketlen Vieira at UFC 222 next March in Las Vegas. It will mark just the third fight in over three years for Zingano (9–2). The promising bantamweight went 9-0 to start her career, but was bested in just fourteen seconds by Ronda Rousey at UFC 184 in 2015. Many criticized Cat for brazenly rushing in at Rousey during that bout. Yet her return fight against Julianna Pena at UFC 200, while lasting a full three rounds, had the same outcome, marking the second loss of her career.
Over the years, the Minnesota native has also had to deal with injuries and the death of her husband, which has kept her from being more active.
In March, Zingano will look to get back on track against Vieira (9-0). Undefeated in her professional career, Vieira most recently upset Sara McMann at UFC 215, submitting the former title challenger via an arm-triangle choke. A win over another ex-title challenger would almost certainly set her up for a title shot of her own.
UFC 222 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 3. No main event has been announced for the card as of yet.
