As expected, it hasn’t taken Paige VanZant long to find a new employer, after she concluded her UFC deal last month. But, the new promotional home VanZant has reportedly selected, isn’t the one most people expected.
VanZant has reportedly signed with BKFC
Months before VanZant’s final UFC fight took place, the 26-year-old repeatedly said that she intended to test the free-agent market. Since her husband Austin Vanderford fights for Bellator, a lot of folks expected she’d sign with the ViacomCBS promotion.
But, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani is reporting that VanZant has signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, and not a MMA organization at all.
Paige VanZant has signed a new multi-fight, exclusive contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, according to sources.
More on the deal shortly.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 12, 2020
MMA Fighting is reporting that Bellator President Scott Coker confirmed VanZant turned down their offer.
VanZant announces a new deal
Recently VanZant confirmed she’s signed a new contract, but she didn’t provide any details.
VanZant faced Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 last month, and was quickly submitted in the opening round. The loss dropped her record to 8-5.
Update
In a follow-up report with ESPN, VanZant has confirmed she has signed with BKFC. While discussing her decision, ’12 Gauge’ said this.
“It was an amazing contract, an amazing opportunity,” VanZant told ESPN. “I also feel like it’s not a move backwards for me.
It’s a lateral move to a new opportunity, a new challenge, a brand new sport. I really have sparked a brand new passion for it and especially for striking in general.
“And, on top of that, I feel like I still have this stigma in MMA that I’m just a pretty face, and what a way to prove to people that’s not the way I see myself at all.
This is a sport where people probably have the highest rate of getting cut open and having long-term scars is definitely something that I’m not even worried about for me.
It’s just the love of competition and I’m really excited to go out there and show off in such an amazing sport.”
VanZant also left the door open to a possible return to MMA.
I don’t know that I am done with MMA,” VanZant said. “I know momentarily I am. I still have a huge passion for MMA, and I just recently relocated to Florida to train with American Top Team.
Obviously they are one of the best MMA gyms in the world.
Right now, my sole focus is boxing, but in a few years I could go back to MMA or I could just be making so much doing this bare knuckle boxing that I don’t do anything else.”
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