After almost 5 years since her final struggle, Paige VanZant is returning to combined martial arts.
“12 Gauge” final fought MMA in July 2020, shedding to Amanda Ribas through submission at UFC 251. She signed with Naked Knuckle Preventing Championship a month later and started a profession exterior of the UFC. After inking a profitable deal, VanZant misplaced her first two fights with the promotion and stepped away from combating for 3 years.
Final Might, VanZant made her boxing debut in Misfits Boxing towards fellow OnlyFans mannequin Elle Brooke. The bout resulted in a break up draw. In June she debuted in Dana White’s Energy Slap league and defeated Christine Wolmarans. Her second look in Energy Slap resulted in a draw.
On Wednesday, the 30-year previous introduced that she’ll be returning to MMA with a brand new struggle promotion, World Struggle League.
“New MMA group. They’re choosing up anyone and all people who has a reputation on this sport who’s a free agent.” Paige VanZant mentioned on her ‘A Kickass Love Story’ Podcast. “They supplied me a contract, and I mentioned sure. Going again to MMA. I believe that is the proper alternative as a result of I didn’t essentially go away MMA. I positively didn’t go away MMA as a result of I wasn’t obsessed with it anymore.
“However leaving once I grew to become a free agent exterior the UFC, the most important provide that got here was in bare-knuckle boxing. They have been those,” VanZant continued. “They introduced the very best provide to me, and it was thrilling. It was new, and it positively sparked my curiosity… Now, there’s this new MMA group that really made me actually excited to struggle for them. The way in which they’re doing it. They’re legit paying their athletes.”
VanZant expects to compete in Energy Slap once more in March, however anticipates her MMA return will happen in April.
Paige VanZant ‘excited’ about returning to MMA
At this level in her profession, VanZant is usually motivated by monetary alternatives. It is referred to as prize combating for a cause, and VanZant needs to money the most important checks that she will.
“Whether or not you prefer it or not, going again for an additional run at MMA. It will be enjoyable,” she mentioned. “I am actually, actually excited… That is presupposed to be in April. I will be doing Energy Slap after which that.”
“In fact I need to struggle for a title sooner or later. I need to work as much as a championship, however I additionally really feel like I’ve this real looking mindset to the purpose the place should you’re doing a job and never being paid your worth for it then it is a passion,” VanZant mentioned.
“I simply left like if I will do the identical job, if I will be doing the identical violence, the identical dedication, the identical drive, I will go the place I will go to the place I am making probably the most cash.”
“You simply by no means know when it is over, so I need to do every part I can to take advantage of cash whereas I can and probably the most alternatives and have the ability to present for my household eternally.”
