Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant announced her next fight is a boxing match in May or June.
Between 2014 and 2020, VanZant fought under the UFC banner and became one of the biggest female superstars in the promotion. Since then, the American Top Team affiliate has fought and lost twice in bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC.
Earlier this week, VanZant and her husband, Austin Vanderford, released the latest episode of their podcast, AKickAssLoveStory. During their extended conversation, ‘12 Gauge’ had this to say about recently accepting a fight, which MMA Fighting transcribed:
“I got called by my manager day before yesterday, and I got offered a fight. A boxing match, and I took it. I don’t know if I can give all the details, I haven’t signed a contract yet. I accepted the fight. It was initially, the date they offered me was March 23, which was perfect. Hell yeah, I’ll get one more fight in before I turn 30, because I turn 30 [on] March 26. So I told my manager f*ck yeah, I’ll take it. I’ll get back into boxing.”
VanZant continued by revealing the date for her next fight was pushed back from what she was initially told:
“ I was just really excited. The opportunity was really cool. So it was perfect, eight-week camp, I don’t that long to stress or overthink, or anything like that, so that’s perfect. It turns out it’s not going to be March 23. After I accepted it, they’re like, you know what, we’re going to move it to [May or June]. I heard both dates, so once I have the full information, we’ll be able to release it on the podcast. Accepted a boxing match, that will be my next fight. It’s really, really exciting.”
Paige VanZant confirmed her next fight won’t be in bare-knuckle boxing
Paige VanZant’s two fights since parting ways with the UFC were in bare-knuckly boxing. Although she lost both bouts, the 29-year-old seemed happy continuing her fighting career with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
During the previously mentioned podcast episode, VanZant confirmed her next fight will feature traditional boxing gloves:
“Gloves on, it’s just straight boxing. I did think my next fight would be a bare-knuckle boxing match, but this opportunity came forward, and I was just like f*ck it, let’s go. So took a fight.”
Paige VanZant started her bare-knuckle boxing career with a unanimous decision loss against Britain Hart in February 2021. Five months later, she suffered another unanimous decision defeat against Rachel Ostovich in her latest fight.
Before her recent announcement, it was unclear if ‘12 Gauge’ would continue fighting, as she’s made a career on OnlyFans.
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