Fat chance: Cat Zingano stem cell procedure expedites rehab following ACL surgery

Looks like the fat's out of the bag.

Top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's bantamweight contender, Cat Zingano, may finally be on the road to recovery.

And she's helping her own cause.

"Alpha" -- who blew her knee out earlier this year while training for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 -- went under the knife to repair her ACL and get back into fighting shape (video). That allowed Miesha Tate to take over as TUF coach, as well as the UFC 168 co main event against Ronda Rousey.

But Zingano tells MMA Weekly it's only a matter of time before she's back in the game:

"My physical therapy is going super well. Everything is right on track. About a month ago, I had some stem cell injections. They took fat out of my body and they spun it and they shot it back into my knees and I feel really, really good. I'm going in next week to get some more PRP injections. This is all supposed to help rebuild the cartilage and regenerate tissue to help my knees. So I'm really looking forward to the comeback. I think my knees are going to be stronger than they've been in years."

We can thank the good lard she's been able to avoid a Dominick Cruz situation.

Now that Zingano is on the mend, she can turn her attention to the winner of the Rousey vs. Tate rematch, which takes place on Dec. 28, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada (details). Already up 1-0 on the latter, she probably won't have to do anything differently should "Cupcake" upset "Rowdy;" however, if the champ retains, she may want to re-think this bizarre strategy.

No arm in at least trying.

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