Following the tragic news regarding her husband Mauricio’s suicide last night, per FOX Sports, top UFC women’s bantamweight contender Cat Zingano has issued a prepared statement on the situation.
Zingano issued a heartfelt statement through MMA Weekly just minutes ago to give her fans an update on what she is going through.
Late yesterday evening, I learned that my husband and soul mate of seven years, Mauricio Zingano, has passed away.
My life has changed irrevocably. I am shocked and deeply saddened. Thankfully, my family and friends are coming together to provide the support I need. I am grateful for them, as I know there are many difficult days ahead.
I also very much appreciate the outpour of support from the jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts world. My husband was well known and respected in this close-knit community and I know he would appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers, as do I.
At this time, I respectfully ask everyone to give me privacy as I gather with relatives and friends. Again, I give thanks to all for the kind words and support.
Sincerely,
Cat Zingano
Rumors began to swirl on Tuesday that Zingano’s husband had passed away last night, with Mike Chiapetta being the first journalist to confirm the news early this afternoon.
Moments later, Globo reporter Marcelo Russio indicated that Mauricio Zingano hung himself in Denver.
MMA Junkie then reported that the couple had split up in recent months, citing an anonymous source who did not go into any further details.
Mauricio Zingano, 37, was a third degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and was undefeated as an MMA competitor (4-0 as an amateur, 2-0-1 as a professional), though he hadn’t stepped foot in the cage since June 2003.
According to his official website promoting Team Zingano-Black House MMA, Mauricio was voted “Colorado’s MMA Coach of the Year” in 2010.
MMA Junkie also reports that the Jefferson County coroner’s office in Colorado hopes to release an official cause of death in the matter by tomorrow.
In addition to his wife, Mauricio Zingano leaves behind a six-year-old son, Brayden.
Cat Zingano has had an extremely tough seven-and-a-half months: suffering a torn ACL that cost her a spot coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, as well as a shot at champion Ronda Rousey, and now the untimely death of her husband.
The hard-hitting undefeated female fighter has offered little other public comment on her recent loss, though she did post on her Facebook fan page this afternoon.
Zingano currently does not have a matchup lined up but is expected to meet the winner of Rousey vs. Sara McMann, which takes place at UFC 170 next month.
Bleacher Report offers their sincerest condolences to the friends and family of the Zinganos during this extremely difficult time.
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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