Cat Zingano

Cat Zingano, a mixed martial artist, has gained prominence in her career through a variety of organizations, including Bellator MMA and UFC. Her journey in the world of combat sports started at the young age of 12 when she began wrestling. With a solid foundation from her high school wrestling team in Colorado, Zingano went on to become a 4-time All-American and National Champion in wrestling. Her impressive record in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which includes wins at the World Championships and the Rio de Janeiro State Championships, further highlights her prowess in martial arts.

Zingano's professional MMA debut came in 2008, and she quickly asserted her dominance in the sport, winning via submission in the first round. Throughout her career, she has showcased her versatility with 14 wins via a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decisions. Notably, she became the first woman to win a UFC fight by technical knockout in 2013. Her high rankings in both UFC and Bellator underscore her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. Despite a career marked by victories and losses, Zingano has remained resilient, consistently ranking among the top fighters in her division.

Off the mat, Zingano has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience. She has dealt with immeasurable loss in her life, with the loss of her mother to cancer, her high school best friend to murder, and the tragic loss of her husband in 2014. Zingano's commitment to giving back to the community is evident in her establishment of a scholarship fund aimed at supporting bereaved students, The Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is fighting through their own loss of a close family member, legal guardian, or loved one and is in need of financial support for their education as they move forward. It is available to both high school and college students. Additionally, Zingano is associated with the non-profit Shelter to Soldier, an organization that trains rescue dogs for military veterans suffering from PTSD.