Top-ranked UFC women’s bantamweight Cat Zingano is looking to return to the gym full-time Monday and begin preparing for a summer showdown with champion Ronda Rousey.
Alpha appeared on AXS TV’s Inside MMA Friday night to break the news:
When the time comes, I’m going to be ready, absolutely. I feel strong, I feel like I’m gonna come out ready to fight. I know Ronda had said something about maybe fighting in the end of the summer and I think that sounds pretty good to me too.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt also stated that she believed fights with Rousey, as well as Invicta FC featherweight champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino, would be “fun.”
Zingano, who boasts an undefeated record (8-0, seven finishes), won her UFC debut in April against Miesha Tate. After losing the first two rounds, Zingano came out firing on all cylinders in the third round and scored a come-from-behind TKO, though Tate protested the stoppage, per MMA Fighting.
As a result of the victory, the 31-year-old was set to coach opposite Rousey on Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter and fight for the belt after the show concluded. However, a knee injury forced Zingano to get surgery, and she was subsequently replaced by Tate, per Fox Sports.
Tate was submitted by Rousey, via her patented armbar, at UFC 168 in December in their championship bout. It was the only occasion in which Rowdy went beyond the first round.
Rousey, 9-0, most recently scored her first career knockout when she stopped Sara McMann at UFC 170 last month.
Is the time now for the UFC to book Rousey vs. Zingano for the women’s bantamweight title?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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