Cat (left) and her husband, the late Mauricio Zingano (right)

By Jesse Heitz

Today is the type of MMA news day that I don’t particularly enjoy writing about, and I’d venture to guess that no MMA writers enjoy these stories.  Yet, it’s important that they are covered.  The story to which I’m referring is the untimely passing of Mauricio Zingano, the husband and trainer of UFC standout Cat Zingano.

A report published here at Full Contact Fighter broke the unfortunate news.  The report stated the following,

“According to multiple reports, Mauricio Zingano, the coach and husband of UFC bantamweight Cat Zingano, has passed away at the age of 37.

The third degree, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt reportedly died in his Westminster, Colorado home Monday night. An autopsy will be performed on Zingano Wednesday.

A subsequent report issued by the Bleacher Report, published a mere half-hour before the writing of this piece, duplicated Cat Zingano’s official statement, which reads as follows,

“Late yesterday evening, I learned that my husband and soul mate of seven years, Mauricio Zingano, has passed away.

My life has changed irrevocably. I am shocked and deeply saddened. Thankfully, my family and friends are coming together to provide the support I need. I am grateful for them, as I know there are many difficult days ahead.

I also very much appreciate the outpour of support from the jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts world. My husband was well known and respected in this close-knit community and I know he would appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers, as do I.

At this time, I respectfully ask everyone to give me privacy as I gather with relatives and friends. Again, I give thanks to all for the kind words and support.

Sincerely,
Cat Zingano”

First and foremost, I’d like to offer my most heartfelt and deepest condolences to Cat Zingano and the entire Zingano family.  This is an incredible tragedy.  We never expect somebody so young, and in the prime of their life, to be taken.

He was a pillar of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world, arguably the father of BJJ in Colorado.  He was a third degree black belt, who at one point studied under Helio Gracie himself.  He was a two time national champion in his beloved sport.  He was a man who bled for the honor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  He was a man who groomed one of the greatest female fighters in the sport today.

Currently several reports are indicating that Zingano committed suicide, but at this moment, such analysis is entirely unnecessary.  Let us keep our thoughts focused on the man Zingano was, a father, a husband, a son.  A man who will be missed by those that knew him.