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By Jim Edwards



UFC 200 may host a UFC women's bantamweight title fight, but for many fight fans, the most intriguing women's 135lbs bout will see Julianna Pena take on the returning Cat Zingano who will be fighting for the first time since her defeat to Ronda Rousey in February 2015.



The road back to the Octagon has been a lengthy one for Zingano but having sorted out a series of personal problems, she appears to be more motivated than ever to get back to winning ways. Today at the UFC 200 media day, Zingano spoke about the journey she had been through in the past 15-months and what triggered her return.



"I knew everyone would understand that I needed some time out," Zingano said. "I just didn't want to be a product of my circumstances and I feel that there have been times in my life where I haven't let myself do that and I've let something get to me. There have been times where I've let things affect me and I've ended up not achieving my goals.



"Now I have my kid watching me and I have to set an example of how to solve problems properly. In January I decided to go to Thailand because I was heavy and just feeling kinda crappy. I needed to do something proactive and I noticed my son would see me feeling the way I was feeling.



"I thought the best thing to do was to just get out of there and go to Thailand. Whenever I'm there I get my weight down and I learn something new. I get inspired and I just feel better for it. I went there this time around and found happiness and went home in February. I was then just waiting for the lightbulb to go off and it happened when I watched Miesha and Holly fight.



"I then thought that the show was going on without me for too long and I guess that was the pitchfork in the butt telling me to get moving and get back in action. I asked whether Miesha wanted the rematch but she didn't, so this is where I am now."



Despite now being ready to make her return, Zingano still admits she is haunted by her loss to Ronda Rousey back in February 2015.



"I'm not over that loss to Ronda," Zingano said. "It's been in my mind what more important to me? Winning the belt or avenging that loss? In a perfect world, I'd win the belt and then beat her (Rousey). Everyone still asks me about Ronda four or five times a day. Anytime anyone recognises me, within the first one or two sentences they always ask me 'what do you think of Ronda?'



"If we fought again it would be totally different. I feel like that fight couldn't happen that exact way ever again, I don't think she could even finish someone in an alley that fast. That's what happened and people just get caught. It just happened and part of the sport."



"When she lost I was sad. I didn't want her to lose to anyone but me. I must admit I looked past Holly on this. I know she hits really hard, has crazy strength and has great grappling but I just didn't see her beating Ronda. When it happened I was kinda bummed out and seeing all the different responses was just shocking to me. Some of it was just so nasty."



Having been out so long, Zingano's message to all her fans that had stuck by her was clear; watch Saturday night and see the new and hungry Cat Zingano.



"I'm here to put on a show," Zingano said. "I didn't come here to lose, I came here to win and I'm going to do everything I can to make this an exciting night for everyone."