NORWICH, Conn. – Cat Zingano is clearing the air.
Contrary to the public conversation, Zingano (11-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) says she was never officially offered a Bellator title bout against champion Cris Cyborg (26-2 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), despite claims from the champion and promotion president Scott Coker.
“I was never offered her,” Zingano said at a Bellator 282 news conference Wednesday. I’d see what she was saying online. I would talk to the matchmakers. I would talk to my manager. We’d get conversations going and nothing would happen. I’d get offered other people. I don’t mind more time. I’m relatively new to being a 145er, keeping weight on and doing everything I can to feel strong and fast and powerful here. It’s fine. I’m fine. I know everyone’s excited about that fight, herself included, myself included. When it comes, it’ll just be that much sweeter. It’s fine.”
In late 2021, all signs pointed toward Zingano vs. Cyborg, according to the promotional brass. However, Cyborg was booked against, and defeated, Arlene Blencowe in April in Hawaii instead. Zingano now faces Pam Sorenson at Bellator 282, which takes place this Friday.
Zingano’s name arose in January. After Cyborg and Zingano exchanged words on Twitter, Coker was asked about the matchup at a news conference. Coker indicated the ball was in Zingano’s court and she didn’t pick it up. Zingano thinks the situation is a lot less divisive in actuality than it’s been portrayed as publicly.
“Everyone has got to make MMA about conflict,” Zingano said. “That’s something that I just don’t subscribe to. I’ve been doing this type of thing since I was 12 years old. I can take the energy and put it into talking sh*t and fighting people and accusing you of this or that or whatever. Or, I could put it into my training and you could see the highlight reels in my fights that everyone loves. Which one of those do I want to put my effort toward? I’m going to do my talking in the ring. I don’t know.
“I’m not sure where all the disconnect was, because, like I said, I wasn’t offered her. Coker said what he’s saying online. She’s saying what she’s saying online. My only request is that when we do fight, I do want to make sure that it’s fair. I do want to make sure that it’s safe. I told them what that meant from the beginning. I haven’s seen steps toward that yet. Once that happens, that’s what’s up. … To my knowledge, we don’t get tested for anything – at least I haven’t. I’m an open book. Go ahead. I’m just curious if everyone else is.”
If she wins Friday, Zingano thinks she aligns herself for that opportunity that’s been discussed but apparently never offered. She has Pam Sorenson in front of her, an experienced veteran who held Invicta FC gold earlier in her career.
“I think Pam’s done a lot during her time in Bellator,” Zingano said. “Obviously, I’m undefeated with Bellator at the moment. I’ve put a lot of work into this. I think everyone is very excited about the potential of me and Cyborg. It’s been a long time coming. I’m focused on this fight. I’m focused on staying focused on this fight. Obviously, that’s on the horizon one way or another. It’s been in conversations one way or another. It’s also been in conversations for the last 10 years and never happened. The day it comes, it’s going to be awesome. It’s exciting and right now I’m focused and ready for Friday night.”
Bellator 282 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.