‘Like a Phoenix from the Ashes’

More than a year away from the cage has done nothing to diminish Melissa Gatto’s ambition. In her case, absence certainly made the heart grow fonder.

Gatto, who still views herself as a key player in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight division, will make her long-awaited return to the Octagon when she meets former KSW champion Ariane Lipski in a featured UFC on ESPN 48 attraction this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Shoulder surgery cost the Brazilian valuable time in the gym and untold earning inside the cage. Gatto has not fought since she lost a unanimous decision to Tracy Cortez at UFC 274 in May.

“I had already been feeling shoulder pains, and I fought her anyway,” she said. “After that, I went back to training. I accepted a new booking, but I couldn’t train properly. I felt a lot of pain, and my shoulder kept getting worse. I decided to pull out and get surgery.”

Now, her road back to relevance begins.

“The worst thing that can happen is a long period without a fight,” Gatto said. “It was a difficult period to be idle after surgery, but I always try to have a positive attitude and do whatever I can in the gym. If I can’t punch, I’ll kick instead—and so on. The main thing is to remain focused and keep my ultimate goal in mind.”

Lipski does not figure to provide anything resembling a soft landing. The “Queen of Violence” owns a mediocre 4-5 record across nine appearances in the UFC but finds herself in possession of some welcomed momentum after a three-round unanimous decision over J.J. Aldrich at UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11.

“She’s coming off a very important win,” Gatto said. “She fought very well against Aldrich. We’ve been studying her fights. Without a doubt, her win over J.J. was a great restart in her career after a few losses in the UFC. We’re expecting her to show up at her best. She has a very sharp muay thai game. Her striking is her best attribute, for sure. I can’t avoid feeling the pressure of coming off a loss, but I’m looking forward to showcasing my work. I plan to give everything I have. A good performance and a win will be the consequences of that.”

In advance of her high-stakes showdown with Lipski, Gatto once again set up shop at MSP—an all-female camp in Rio de Janeiro fronted by coaches Rafael Vinicius and Eduardo Simoes.

“I worked with several girls who can emulate Lipski’s aggressive game,” she said. “I believe that my standup is even sharper for this bout without ever neglecting my ground game.”

Emotions run understandably deep for Gatto as the fight approaches. A total of 420 days will have passed since she last competed.

“I’m very happy to be returning after over a year away,” Gatto said. “I’m coming off a loss and a surgery, so now I’m seeking redemption. I want to show my work and get another win. I’m coming back like a phoenix from the ashes.”