Cat Zingano, born Cathilee Deborah Zingano on July 1, 1982, is an American mixed martial artist competing in the featherweight division of Bellator MMA. She is best known for her time in the UFC, where she became the first woman to win a UFC fight by technical knockout.
Here we have Cat Zingano’s net worth, earnings, MMA career, record, relationship status, and more.
Cat Zingano’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cathilee Deborah Zingano |
| Date of Birth | July 1, 1982 |
| Birthplace | Winona, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg) |
| Fighting Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling |
| Team | Alliance MMA |
| MMA Debut | 2008 |
| Division | Featherweight |
Cat Zingano was born in Winona, Minnesota, and grew up participating in various sports. She began wrestling at a young age and later transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.
Her martial arts training helped her develop an impressive skill set, leading to her successful career in MMA. Zingano is also a mother, and her journey includes overcoming many challenges, including the tragic loss of her husband in 2014.
Professional Career
Cat Zingano started her professional MMA career in 2008 with a strong foundation in wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
She made her way up the ranks, and in 2013, she earned a significant opportunity when she became the first woman to win a UFC fight by TKO against Miesha Tate at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. The fight was named the “Fight of the Night”.
On September 27, 2014, She earned a first-round TKO victory over Amanda Nunes, who later became a UFC champion. In early 2015, Zingano faced Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship but lost the fight in just 14 seconds.
At UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, Cat Zingano faced Julianna Peña in a highly anticipated matchup. The fight lasted three rounds, with Peña securing a unanimous decision victory after controlling much of the bout with her grappling skills.
Following her UFC career, Zingano signed with Bellator MMA in 2019, where she competes in the featherweight division.
At Bellator 300 on October 7, 2023, Cat Zingano fought Cris Cyborg for the Bellator Women’s Featherweight World Championship. The bout ended in the first round, with Cyborg securing a TKO victory via punches at 4:01.
Achievements
First woman to win a UFC fight by TKO (2013)
Performance of the Night (UFC 178, against Amanda Nunes)
Competed for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship (2015)
Relationship Status
Cat Zingano married Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Mauricio Zingano in 2010. Tragically, Mauricio passed away by suicide on January 13, 2014. The couple had one son, born in 2006, making Zingano the first mother to compete in the UFC.
Zingano is currently single.
Cat Zingano’s Net Worth Details
Cat Zingano’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025. Her earnings come from fight purses, sponsorships, and bonuses.
Her UFC fights, particularly high-profile bouts against Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, and Ronda Rousey, contributed significantly to her earnings.
Below is an estimate of her fight purse earnings from key bouts.
Fight Purse Earnings
| Fight | Event | Purse (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Miesha Tate | The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale | $30,000 (including bonuses) |
| Amanda Nunes | UFC 178 | $90,000 (including bonuses) |
| Ronda Rousey | UFC 184 | $100,000 (base salary) |
| Gabrielle Holloway | Bellator 245 | $50,000 |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $800,000 |
| 2021 | $850,000 |
| 2022 | $900,000 |
| 2023 | $950,000 |
| 2024 | $1,000,000 |
Endorsements
Zingano has had partnerships with several brands throughout her career, including sports apparel companies such as Reebok and nutritional supplement brands. These endorsements have added to her earnings outside of the octagon.
MMA Records
| 19 matches | 14 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 2 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 2 |
FAQs
1. What is Cat Zingano’s professional MMA record?
Cat Zingano holds a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 5 losses (as of October 2023). Of her 14 wins, 5 came by knockout, 4 by submission, and 5 by decision. She has competed in organizations like the UFC and Bellator MMA, with notable victories over Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, and Raquel Pennington.
2. What championships has Cat Zingano won?
Zingano has won multiple titles, including the Ring of Fire (ROF) Women’s Flyweight and Bantamweight Championships, the Fight To Win (FTW) Women’s 125 lbs and 130 lbs Championships, and the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. She also challenged for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title and the Bellator Featherweight Title.
3. What are Cat Zingano’s most famous fights?
vs. Miesha Tate (2013): Won by TKO in Round 3, earning UFC’s first female “Fight of the Night.”
vs. Ronda Rousey (2015): Lost via submission in 14 seconds for the UFC Bantamweight Title.
vs. Cris Cyborg (2023): Lost by TKO in Round 1 for the Bellator Featherweight Title.
4. What personal challenges has Cat Zingano faced?
Zingano endured significant personal losses, including the death of her mother to cancer, the murder of her best friend, and the suicide of her husband, Mauricio Zingano, in 2014. She is a single mother to her son, Brayden, and has spoken openly about balancing MMA with parenthood.
5. Why did Cat Zingano leave the UFC?
After a series of losses in the UFC, Zingano transitioned to Bellator MMA in 2020. Her move allowed her to compete in the featherweight division, where she secured four consecutive wins before challenging Cris Cyborg for the Bellator title.
6. What is Cat Zingano’s fighting style?
Zingano’s style blends wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and striking. A 4-time All-American wrestler and BJJ practitioner, she is known for aggressive grappling, submission skills (armbars, rear-naked chokes), and powerful slams.
7. Is Cat Zingano still fighting in 2025?
Zingano has not announced her retirement but does not have a scheduled fight. Her most recent bout was a loss to Cris Cyborg at Bellator 300 in October 2023.
8. What philanthropic work is Cat Zingano involved in?
She established The Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship, awarding $10,000 to students affected by the loss of a loved one. She also supports Shelter to Soldier, a nonprofit training rescue dogs for veterans with PTSD.
9. What are Cat Zingano’s physical stats?
Height: 5’6” (168 cm)Reach: 70.1” (178 cm)Weight Class: Competes at featherweight (145 lbs) and bantamweight (135 lbs).
10. What milestones has Cat Zingano achieved in MMA?
First woman to win a UFC fight by TKO (vs. Miesha Tate, 2013).First mother to compete in the UFC.Held championships in three MMA organizations (ROF, FTW, Invicta FC).Competed in the UFC’s first female main event (vs. Ronda Rousey, 2015).
