Melissa Gatto is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's women's flyweight division. She holds the rank of purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and has earned numerous titles in BJJ tournaments in southern Brazil.
Melissa Gatto Regonha is 29th in the UFC women's flyweight division. As a Sterile Processing Team Lead at Premier Health Partners, she maintains an undefeated record of 6 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws. Gatto's victories include four submissions (rear-naked choke, two armbars, and a Kimura) and two knockouts, reflecting her dedicated training and strong work ethic.
Melissa Gatto was born on February 5, 1996, Gatto has demonstrated her dedication and passion for martial arts as she continues to pursue her career in the UFC's women's flyweight division. Melissa hails from Brazil and embarked on her martial arts journey at the age of eight. She initially trained in Kung Fu alongside her older brother.
Melissa Gatto fights under the flyweight category. SOURCE: Instagram- @melissagattomma Melissa expanded her skills by exploring various disciplines, eventually finding her way to mixed martial arts as a personal challenge. While Gatto has chosen to keep her family life and background private and is known that she attended Western Paraná State University where she successfully earned a bachelor's degree in languages.
Melissa Gatto competes in the women's flyweight division of the UFC and holds an impressive professional MMA record of 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. She made her UFC debut on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265 against Victoria Leonardo. Gatto secured a victory in that fight via TKO (doctor's stoppage) in the second round, showcasing her skills and determination.
Melissa Gatto with her mother, Miriam Gatto. SOURCE: Instagram- @melissagattomma Melissa's most recent fight took place on May 7, 2022, at UFC 274 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she faced Tracy Cortez. Unfortunately, Gatto suffered a loss in that bout, which ended in a unanimous decision. Throughout her career, Gatto has demonstrated her versatility as a fighter, with two wins coming via knockout and four wins via submission.
Melissa Gatto has an estimated net worth of $100,000. It seems that she keeps her financial aspect secret from the public.. The flyweight champion mayn't be popular as the beastly fighter, but she maintains her love among her fellow Brazilian fans.
Melissa Gatto has an estimated net worth of $100,000. SOURCE: Instagram- @melissagattomma In the realm of UFC, fighters competing in the flyweight category tend to earn less compared to their counterparts in other weight classes. According to a source, flyweight fighters have the lowest average career earnings among all weight divisions, with an average maximum of $626,000.
However, it is worth noting that the average earnings of UFC fighters have been on the rise in recent years. In 2021, the average income for a UFC fighter reached $160,022, a noticeable increase from $146,673 in the previous year.
The highest-paid UFC fighters, as identified among the top 20 earners, demonstrate a significant discrepancy in career earnings. The pinnacle of the list is Conor McGregor who has amassed a staggering $20,102,000 in earnings throughout his UFC career. In contrast, Anthony Pettis ranks among the highest-paid fighters as well, albeit with career earnings amounting to $5,070,000, marking a substantial difference between the top earners in the promotion.
As of 2023, Melissa Gatto remains single. While Melissa shares glimpses of her professional life on social media. Gatto has not publicly disclosed any details about her personal life, except for occasional posts featuring her friends and family. The athlete's Instagram gives the impression that she enjoys spending time at the beach, indulging in the serene coastal scenery.
Melissa Gatto enjoys spending time on the beach. SOURCE: Instagram- @melissagattomma Gatto dedicates her time to rigorous training for the flyweight category in the UFC. Her training regimen likely encompasses a combination of striking, grappling, and conditioning exercises aimed at enhancing her skills and overall physical fitness. As a professional athlete, Gatto undoubtedly adheres to a strict diet and nutrition plan to ensure she maintains her weight and optimizes her performance inside the octagon.
Melissa Gatto's fight against Sijara Eubanks at UFC Vegas 45 on December 18, 2021, proved to be a memorable encounter. The first round saw a closely contested battle with both fighters exchanging strikes and engaging in grappling exchanges. Gatto managed to land some solid strikes and made attempts at takedowns, but Eubanks demonstrated strong defense and retaliated with strikes of her own. The round concluded without any significant damage inflicted on either fighter.
As the second round unfolded as Gatto began to assert her dominance. Melissa increased her striking accuracy and took control of the grappling exchanges. Although Eubanks continued to defend effectively, Gatto's offensive output was notable. Despite Gatto's control, the round concluded without any decisive blows or notable damage on either side.
The third round proved to be the turning point in the fight. Gatto entered the round with renewed energy and unleashed a powerful right hand that rocked Eubanks. Seizing the opportunity, Gatto continued to land strikes and successfully took Eubanks down to the ground. Gatto's ground-and-pound assault became relentless and prompted the referee to intervene and stop the fight via TKO at 0:45 of the third round.
Melissa Gatto's height has been listed as 5'5" (165.1 cm) by Sherdog and 5'6" (168 cm) according to sources like MMA Junkie and UFC.com. Born on February 5, 1996, Gatto is currently 27 years old as of 2023. In terms of fighting style, Gatto combines both striking and grappling techniques in her approach. This versatility allows her to engage in a well-rounded game, adapting to various situations inside the octagon.
Unfortunately, Gatto experienced a loss in her most recent bout at UFC 274 on May 7, 2022. Tracy Cortez defeated her via a unanimous decision after three rounds of competition. However, Gatto's young age and determination suggest that she still has plenty of time to further refine her skills and make a mark in the flyweight division.
