Paige Vanzant Looking To Try Free Agency After Final UFC Bout

Paige Vanzant
Paige Vanzant - Image via @paigevanzant Instagram

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweight contender Paige VanZant recently underwent serious arm surgery after her second surgery failed to produce any recovery. The original damage occurred against a Jessica Rose-Clark on January 14, 2018, where she broke her arm in round one and lost the fight via decision.

After a year hiatus “12 Gauge” returned and picked up a victory over Rachael Ostovich via armbar at UFC on ESPN+ 1 on January 19, 2019. The worst thing was Paige went into this contest with a broken arm which caused more complications, leading into another operation.

Vanzant lost three of her last four, including her flyweight debut. Despite that, she is the most popular female fighter in the UFC roster.

To regain her strength back, Paige needs some much needed time off as well she’s thinking to test a free agency after fulfilling her UFC contract. (h/t Bloodyelbow)

“I’m aiming for – there’s always a really big card at the end of the year for the UFC – so I’m hoping for that end of the year card.”

“12 Gauge” also added that fight would be last on her contract and after that, she’d explore a new market.

“I am, yeah,” Paige on finishing out her contract. “You know, it’s more for me, I want to prove my worth. And obviously, with my arm injuries, I’ve had three surgeries in a row now. Even though I’m so popular, I guess… I’ve been doing amazing things outside the UFC—Sports Illustrated, Dancing with the Stars, all these amazing things. I want to show, ‘Hey, I’m a huge player in this division. I’m a huge player in the UFC.’ And I think it’s going to take one more fight to do that. And more than anything, I’m just focused on getting back in the cage. I don’t want to put any pressure on myself, or any stress behind anything. I just want to fight.”

During her early days in the promotion, Paige VanZant landed a Reebok sponsorship deal; now she’s no longer part of it.

“Dancing With the Stars” alum (7-4) is still very young and has plenty of time to bounce back if nagging injuries don’t come her way again.

Published on June 20, 2019 at 8:57 pm
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