Former UFC Title Challenger Cat Zingano Signs with Bellator MMA

Cat Zingano has signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.

Bellator president Scott Coker announced the deal Tuesday on social media. Zingano will compete in the California-based promotion’s featherweight division. A date and opponent for her debut have not been confirmed.

I'd like to officially welcome @CatZingano to @BellatorMMA's featherweight division.

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) October 29, 2019

Zingano was recently released from the UFC after losing four of her last five Octagon appearances. Her final outing ending in disappointing fashion, as a Megan Anderson high kick injured Zingano’s eye and rendered her unable to continue 61 seconds into the opening round at UFC 232. Zingano’s subsequent appeal of the loss — on the grounds that the toes and toenails should be treated the same as an eye poke from the fingers — was denied.

The 37-year-old Colorado native began her professional tenure with nine consecutive wins. Zingano bested Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes in her first two UFC bouts before being submitted by Ronda Rousey in just 14 seconds in a bantamweight title bout at UFC 184 in February 2015.

Oh helloooo @bellatormma ladies, shall we dine or dance? #Bellator #mma #catzingano #featherweight #yearofthealphacat #meow pic.twitter.com/Pw0OSMgzZP

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) October 29, 2019