In a feature on UFC.com published ahead of UFC Vegas 115, Melissa Gatto discusses returning to the Octagon after nearly two years away and her desire to "make up for lost time" in the flyweight division. She details overcoming medical concerns that kept her sidelined and emphasizes renewed motivation to re-establish herself at 125 pounds. The piece notes her matchup with Dione Barbosa at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan, framing the bout as a key step in her push toward the rankings.
Melissa Gatto is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Duncan — branded as UFC Vegas 115 — ending a nearly two-year absence from competition, with the Brazilian flyweight describing the bout as a chance to make up for lost time.
Gatto, 30, carries a professional record of 9-3-2 and competes at 125 pounds out of MSP. Standing 165 cm tall with a 175 cm reach and fighting out of an orthodox stance, she is an active and accurate striker, landing 3.47 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. She also brings a meaningful grappling dimension, averaging 1.77 takedowns per 15 minutes. In a feature published on UFC.com ahead of the event, Gatto spoke about overcoming medical concerns that kept her sidelined and expressed a sharpened desire to re-establish herself in the flyweight division. Her opponent is Dione Barbosa, with the bout framed in the piece as a critical step toward cracking the rankings at 125 pounds.
Why it matters
- A win would end Gatto's long layoff on a positive note and position her firmly back in the flyweight conversation
- Her combination of striking volume and takedown activity creates a multi-dimensional challenge for Barbosa
- The flyweight division continues to grow in depth, making every ranked-adjacent bout consequential for contender positioning
