Former UFC title challenger, Cat Zingano is in a prime position to challenge for the title but first, she has to get through Oliva Parker at Bellator 256.
Consequently, the news of the pairing was first announced by sources at ESPN. Bellator 256 will go down at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. In addition, Bellator 256 takes place on April 9 and will be headlined by Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida in a tournament-style format. Not to mention, the business Zingano and Parker have to handle will have huge implications moving forward. Following a strenuous fight camp, each fighter is eager to prove who is a more worthy challenger for the sitting champion Cris Cyborg.
Cat Zingano Nets Brown Belt And Is Targeting The Title
As a veteran of the game, Zingano has been in some incredible fights. Right off the bat, it has to be mentioned that she has a TKO win over the women’s greatest of all-time–Amanda Nunes. However, since that day the two fighters have gone their separate ways. While Nunes went on to become a simultaneous double champion, Zingano ran into some trouble in the UFC bantamweight division.
So I got my brown belt last night 🤎 pic.twitter.com/ixVi3eoE5i
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) March 18, 2021
Ultimately, Zingano parted ways with the UFC and joined Bellator. Then after picking up her debut win against Gabrielle Holloway, she now finds herself in a potential number 1 contender’s bout against Parker. Although getting past Parker will be difficult since her style matches up very well with Zingano. In fact, Parker’s ability on the ground is underrated. One thing to watch from Parker is her advanced scrambling abilities because she finds very unorthodox submissions when the fight enters that realm. (i.e. her reverse triangle choke against Carolyn Roe).
With the addition of Cat Zingano taking on Oliva Parker, here is the Bellator 256 line-up: (subject to change)Â
- Champ Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida – for light heavyweight title; light heavyweight tournament opening round
- Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov – light heavyweight tournament opening round
- Diana Avsaragova vs. Tara Graff
- Nainoa Dung vs. Izzy William
- Jaylon Bates vs. Jeffrey Glossner
- Nathan Ghareeb vs. Cody Law
- Jessica Borga vs. Talita Nogueira
- Olivia Parker vs. Cat Zingano
