Zingano to return to action soon, says manager

Closing in on a year off from in-cage action, Cat Zingano could return soon.

Last February, Zingano found herself on the wrong end of history when she was submitted in 14 seconds by Ronda Rousey at UFC 184. Updates have been scarce, but her manager Ed Soares appeared on MMAjunkie Radio to discuss her training in Thailand and when she might return.

"When she went out there to spend a month training, she really enjoyed it," Soares said, according to Dan Stupp of MMAjunkie.com. "It really re-motivated her. She's focused, and I believe you'll be seeing Cat back in the Octagon by the beginning of summer."

Despite her inactivity, Zingano still holds the No. 3 spot in the UFC's official rankings. She earned her shot at the women's bantamweight title on the back of wins over Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.

Zingano's husband committed suicide in 2014, and she was shelved by a knee injury for a year between the Tate and Nunes fights. Her appearances may be scarce, but her manager is convinced that she's still among the cream of the contending crop.

"Speaking with her this week, I was very happy to hear how motivated and focused she is, that she's already talking about what she wants to do for her next camp and bring in some different trainers and things," Soares said. "So it's nice to hear her very motivated because we all know when Cat is motivated, she can be a very dangerous and always a very exciting fighter."