Cat Zingano spoke at the California State Capitol in hopes of getting all MMA fighters pensions.
Zingano and several others have been advocating for the fighter pension bill. The hope is fighters can get a pension to support them after their careers are over, which would be a big help, especially with them not making a ton of money. With her being one of the faces of the bill, she spoke to the Capitol and gave a very emotional speech, detailing some of her own experiences.
I was nervous like a fight going in to this testimony at the Capitol today. I'm stumbling my words because this meant so much to me to get out right. I wish I had another chance to present as I was emotional, but the message is still the same. Thank you for having our backs 🙏🏼♥️ pic.twitter.com/vAZfMlLfl0
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) July 11, 2023
“Fighting is so incredibly hard. What you see in the cage and on TV is such a fraction of the commitment that it actually takes. Being a single mother, my career was differend,” Zingano said. “I raised my son on my own after my husband died by suicide in 2014. My career has been complicated and I have dealt with public grief and healing. It’s been hard to be the nurturer who makes sure home is okay, safe, and being taken care of while being a businesswoman and doing dangerous work for minimal return.
“My circumstances made it hard for me to fight as often as I’d like. I didn’t always have the resources and fight camp is risky and expensive. The cost of special food, the cost driving, the private lessons, and the physical therapy, the paying of coaches and managers adds up and can take over the whole winning… Please consider this pension for the longevity of the past, current and future fighters,” Cat Zingano added.
Senate votes in favor of Bill
After her speech, the Senate voted on the bill and Cat Zingano revealed it passed 13-0.
Today was very successful at the California State Capitol! The State Senate just voted 13-0 in favor of the fighter pension bill! It was emotional, productive and such an honor to be there speaking on behalf of the fighters of the past, present and future. pic.twitter.com/7YaOucQ72f
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) July 10, 2023
“Today was very successful at the California State Capitol! The State Senate just voted 13-0 in favor of the fighter pension bill! It was emotional, productive and such an honor to be there speaking on behalf of the fighters of the past, present and future,” Zingano wrote.
Although California voted in favor of the bill, the next steps are to make it a bill for the entire United States. But, seeing California vote in favor of the bill is a massive step in the right direction.
