Cat Zingano expects to be cleared to return to fighting in February

Undefeated UFC women’s bantamweight contender “Alpha” Cat Zingano (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) expects to return to the octagon in six months.

Zingano on Thursday posted a YouTube video of her attending surgeon, Dr. Ronald Kvitne of Los Angeles’ Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, delivering her news that she should be able to return to full training in approximately four months and fighting two months later.

Earlier this year, Zingano underwent an ACL replacement surgery. The injury was costly, pulling her out of a planned coaching slot opposite Ronda Rousey on the soon-to-debut “The Ultimate Fighter 18? series, as well as a December shot at the UFC women’s bantamweight belt. Miesha Tate, a fighter Zingano defeated in April, stepped in to fill Zingano’s slot both on the series and in the championship bout.

Zingano, who injured herself during her strength and conditioning routine, also suffered a torn meniscus, as well. Since the surgery, which involved using a cadaver’s Achilles tendon to replace the ACL, Zingano has been focused on an intense physical therapy routine in an effort to get back to peak form.

Zingano is still expected to challenge for the UFC women’s bantamweight title, though it’s not yet known if she’ll immediately challenge the winner of December’s UFC 168 co-feature between Rousey and Tate.

The Colorado-based Zingano has been fighting professionally since 2008 and is undefeated through the first eight appearances of her career. Seven of those wins have come by stoppage.

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(Pictured: Cat Zingano)