A new threat is making her way to the Bellator MMA Women?s Featherweight Division as UFC veteran Cat Zingano has signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion.
Ariel Helwani of ESPN first broke the news, but the exact length of the contract or any financial numbers associated with the deal weren?t revealed at this time.
Zingano says that Bellator MMA gave her an even bigger deal than anticipated, plus the fighter still has some goals left to accomplish.
"They asked me what would make me happy and motivated. I told them, then they came back with an even bigger number," Zingano told ESPN. "Initially, can't lie, I was struggling with making a decision only because my mind was fatigued, and I had a few things complete physically. I'm happy with how it came together. I can still accomplish the few things I had yet to accomplish in the UFC, just a different platform. I get to set brand new goals and do it on a whole new fresh blank slate. I get to start over, I get to reinvent, I get to go back to my roots if I want, too. I get to get excited and nervous for the new possibilities, and that makes my heart happy! These extra ten pounds will be just about as lovely as the fact I now get sponsors. I'm grateful for where I've come from and definitely look forward to where I'm going. I want to grow and create an even stronger Bellator. I'm committed to it. A motivated Cat is a dangerous Cat."
There is no word yet as to when Zingano is going to be making her promotional debut, but the fighter will enter a weight class currently ruled by Julia Budd.