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Melissa Gatto
Brazilian mixed martial artist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Melissa Gatto (born May 2, 1996) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who currently fights in the women's flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Background
Gatto was born and grew up in Toledo, Paraná, Brazil, with an older and a younger brother.[3] Following her big brother, she started training Kung Fu at the age of eight.[3] Gradually she picked up also other disciplines eventually drifting to mixed martial arts in order to challenge herself.[3][4] She attended Western Paraná State University from where she graduated with bachelor's degree in languages.[3]
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Mixed martial arts career
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Early career
Gatto racked up a record of 6–0–2 in Brazilian regional circuit before signing a contract with the UFC. In her last bout before the UFC, she submitted fellow future UFC fighter Karol Rosa with a first round kimura at Nação Cyborg 3.[5][6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Gatto was scheduled to make her UFC debut replacing injured Jessica Rose-Clark on short notice against Talita Bernardo at UFC 237 on May 11, 2019.[7] However, Gatto was pulled from the fight in the days leading up to the event and replaced by Viviane Araújo.[8]
She was then scheduled to face Julia Avila at UFC 239 on July 6, 2019. However, she ended up pulling out citing an injury and was replaced by Pannie Kianzad.[9] Later, news surfaced that Gatto was in fact pulled from the card due to testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic. She was given a USADA suspension and was eligibly to return to competition on June 5, 2020.[10]
She was scheduled to face Mariya Agapova at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo on June 13, 2020.[11] However, Gatto pulled out due to visa issues and was replaced by Hannah Cifers.[12][13]
She ultimately made her debut against Victoria Leonardo at UFC 265 on August 7, 2021.[14] She won the fight via technical knockout after the doctor stopped the fight between rounds two and three due to an arm injury sustained by Leonardo.[15]
In her sophomore appearance Gatto faced Sijara Eubanks on December 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.[16] At the weigh-ins, Eubanks weighed in at 127.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight.[17][18] She won the fight via body kick TKO in the third round.[19] The win earned her a Performance of the Night bonus award.[20]
Gatto then faced Tracy Cortez at UFC 274 on May 7, 2022.[21] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Gatto was scheduled to face Gillian Robertson on September 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 210.[23] However, Gatto was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons.[24]
Gatto faced Ariane Lipski on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.[25] She lost the fight via split decision.[26]
Gatto was scheduled to face Viktoriia Dudakova on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54.[27] However, the bout was cancelled during the broadcast due to a Dudakova illness.[28]
Gatto faced Tamires Vidal, replacing injured Hailey Cowan, on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241.[29] Gatto won the fight by technical knockout from a punch to the chest.[30]
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Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
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| 13 matches | 9 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Draws | 2 | |
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See also
References
External links
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