Melissa Gatto had an outstanding — but under the radar — year in 2021.
Originally slated to make her UFC debut in 2019, medical issues prevented Gatto from appearing at UFC 237. The UFC then attempted to book her a scrap at UFC 239, but a failed drug test, which led to a one-year USADA suspension, knocked her from that event.
Gatto finally made her first appearance at UFC 265, which took place on August 7, 2021. The 25-year-old looked good for someone who had not fought for nearly three years. She used a significant reach advantage to force her opponent, Victoria Leonardo, to fight off her back foot.