Zingano Returns at UFC 222

For the first time since the summer of 2016, Cat Zingano is scheduled to return to the UFC Octagon this coming March.

Zingano has been booked for a bout with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 222, which is scheduled to be held March 3 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zingano last competed at UFC 200 back in July 2016, losing via unanimous decision to Julianna Pena.

Nagging injuries are to blame for Zingano’s time away from the UFC. It is believed that she could have faced off with UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg sometime this year, but injuries prevented that from happening.

Zingano was previously unbeaten in pro MMA prior to 2015, winning nine straight bouts, including two in the UFC. But at UFC 184 in February 2015, Zingano fell short in a women’s bantamweight title bout against Ronda Rousey, getting submitted via armbar in just 14 seconds. Zingano then never fought again until UFC 200.

Zingano also took 17 months off between her two UFC wins — a win over Miesha Tate in April 2013 and a win over Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 in September 2014.

Zingano’s UFC 222 opponent, Vieira, is currently unbeaten at 9-0, the same record Zingano had before her first defeat. Vieira has won all three of her UFC bouts, most recently defeating Sara McMann back at UFC 215 in September.