Mauricio Zingano, UFC fighter Cat Zingano’s husband, found dead at home
The husband and longtime coach of UFC women’s bantamweight Cat Zingano died Monday night at his Westminster, Colo. home.
A preliminary cause of death has not yet been determined for Mauricio Zingano, 37, but the Jefferson County coroner’s office told MMAjunkie that his death did not occur under suspicious circumstances.
“I’m hoping that tomorrow morning we can release a cause of death on him,†Chief Deputy Coroner Dan Pruett told MMAjunkie.
Pruett said the coroner’s office hasn’t decided whether to perform an autopsy on Zingano, who was pronounced dead at 8:31 p.m. local time, but said it was likely given his age.
A concurrent police investigation is underway, Pruett said. A public information officer for the Westminster Police Department told MMAjunkie the death didn’t appear suspicious. However, the spokesperson wouldn’t confirm the manner of death until the coroner issues a report.
Cat Zingano’s manager, Ed Soares, could not be reached to verify details surrounding the death. A source close to the couple, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, said they had split up in recent months. The couple has a 6-year-old son, Brayden.
Mauricio Zingano was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and MMA fighter who owned and operated a jiu-jitsu school in Westminster. He won multiple grappling accolades in Colorado and nationally, according to the school’s website. In 2010, he was voted Colorado’s MMA Coach of the Year.
This past year was triumphant and trying for Cat Zingano, who earned a shot at women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey with a TKO win over Miesha Tate this past April. While preparing for the fight, Zingano tore her ACL and saw Tate take the fight and a coaching spot opposite Rousey on “The Ultimate Fighter 18†in her absence.
UFC President Dana White initially promised Zingano the winner of Rousey vs. Tate. But this month, the promotion announced Sara McMann will instead face off with Rousey at UFC 170, which takes place Feb. 22 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, as Zingano continues her recovery.
The UFC fighter today changed her Facebook account to a picture of her with Mauricio. She also wrote, “I will always love you Mauricio.â€
