Cat Zingano’s been out of action since losing to Ronda Rousey in 14 seconds last February, but now she’s teasing a major fight for her return this summer.
“I’m not looking past this opponent – this is a very, very valid opponent, and it’s going to be an exciting fight,” Zingano said in an interview with AXS TV’s Inside MMA program (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). “And I’m super stoked for what you guys get to see. I can’t be the one to break the news. But I’ll just tell you it’s going to be epic, and it’s going to be the beginning of the summer.”
Zingano shot down rumors of a fight with Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino, but said she was gunning for a significant matchup. She wants new champ Miesha Tate, but hinted that it’s not what the UFC will be giving to her, either.
“Being that I’ve had a year off, they really want me to come back and have a tune-up fight,” Zingano said. “The fight that I want the most, clearly, is Miesha. Seeing her win that fight [against Holm], and in the fashion she won that fight, definitely put a fire in my spirit to want to get back out there and fight her. When I blew my knee, I had just beaten Miesha, and Miesha off a loss to me was still handed my title shot. So I don’t really think the logistics of coming off a loss, or this or that, especially in this case, should really be stood by. But the UFC is going to do what they’re going to do. Obviously, that’s the fight I want.”
Penick’s Analysis: I’m not sure how “epic” the fight can be if she’s not fighting Cyborg or Tate, but her return will be a big deal given how she’d performed in the UFC to date. That loss to Rousey was a killer, but considering she’s beaten Tate and everyone else put in front of her, she’ll be deserving of a top end opponent here in this return. If that’s what she gets, great, but I’m not sure what other fights are open to her on the high end of the division right now.
Attention iPhone/iPad and Android users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store and/or Google Play store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out!
For current App users, swipe right to view next article, swipe left to view previous article.
Leave a Reply