Former UFC title challenger “Alpha” Cat Zingano makes her long-awaited return to the cage on July 9th at UFC 200: “Diaz vs McGregor 2” in Las Vegas, Nevada. Zingano meets TUF 18 winner Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña in what may prove to be a bantamweight title eliminator.
UFC officials confirmed the matchup today following multiple reports during the past week. Zingano has not fought since February 2015 when she was submitted by then-champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey in 14 seconds at UFC 184. Peña has won all three UFC bouts including two inside the distance.
Zingano (9-1-0) signed with the UFC in 2013 after earning an impressive submission win over Raquel “Rocky” Pennington at Invicta FC 3, and she kept her undefeated record intact with a thrilling third-round TKO victory over current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha “Cupcake” Tate at the TUF 17 Finale. She followed that up by stopping upcoming title challenger Amanda “Lioness” Nunes at UFC 178, but Zingano’s momentum was halted in quick and devastating fashion when she fell victim to a Rousey armbar at UFC 184. She looks to get right back into the championship hunt with a win in July.
Peña (7-2-0) appeared to be on the fast track to a title shot after winning TUF 18 in 2013, but she was forced to watch from the sidelines for more than 16 months after suffering the third serious knee injury of her career. One year ago, she made her return to the Octagon and destroyed Russian veteran Milana Dudieva at UFC Fight Night 63. The win propelled Peña into a contender’s bout against Jessica “Evil” Eye at UFC 192, which ended with Peña taking home a well-deserved Unanimous Decision victory. She now seeks her fourth straight win in her most high-profile fight to date.
UFC 200: “Diaz vs McGregor 2” takes place on July 9th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a welterweight rematch between Nate Diaz and “The Notorious” Conor McGregor, and also features a UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship bout between the aforementioned Miesha “Cupcake” Tate and Amanda “Lioness” Nunes.
(Photo Credit: UFC)