A popular former UFC title challenger has her next fight booked.
Cat Zingano will face Olivia Parker at Bellator 256 on April 9 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, officials told ESPN on Monday. The bout will be contested at featherweight and a win could set Zingano up for a title fight with Cris Cyborg.
Zingano (11-4) beat Gabby Holloway in her Bellator debut last September. The California resident was released by the UFC in 2019. Zingano, 38, has won two of her last three fights and owns a victory over UFC double champion Amanda Nunes. Zingano fell to Ronda Rousey in the UFC 184 main event in 2015.
Parker (4-1) had her unbeaten record snapped last July by Chelsea Chandler under the Invicta FC banner. The 39-year-old Tennessee mother of two has lost 150 pounds training for MMA.
Bellator 256 is headlined by a light heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal bout between Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader and former UFC champ Lyoto Machida.
