Former UFC star Paige VanZant is returning to fighting quicker than expected after signing the dotted line on her return to MMA.
Paige VanZant has remained busy since parting ways with the UFC in 2020. After falling to Amanda Ribas by first-round armbar at UFC 251, VanZant competed in three separate combat sports, including bare-knuckle boxing with Bare Knuckle FC.
VanZant is targeting her MMA return for later this year with the brand-new Global Fight League against a to-be-determined opponent. The Team Miami standout will make her first MMA appearance since the Ribas fight, and at 30 years old, she remains in the physical prime of her athletic career.
In the meantime, VanZant will return to slap-fighting as she hopes to gain some momentum before her MMA comeback.
Paige VanZant booked for Power Slap return
Power Slap announced earlier this week that VanZant will face Mikael-Michelle Brown on March 7th at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. She returns to Power Slap after a unanimous draw against Chelsea Dodson in October.
VanZant is 1-1 in her slap fighting career with her lone victory coming in her Power Slap debut against Christine Wolmarans last June. She’s the only former or current UFC fighter to appear in Power Slap, despite interest from Anthony Smith and others.
VanZant will get to choose her GFL debut opponent after her Power Slap return. The GFL is expected to announce its full event slate in the coming weeks.
Paige VanZant’s husband set for short-notice UFC debut
Paige VanZant expected to be in the corner for UFC Seattle
VanZant’s husband Austin Vanderford will make a days’ notice UFC debut this weekend at UFC Seattle. Vanderford will face Nikolay Veretennikov in a 175-pound catchweight bout after Billy Goff’s withdrawal from the card.
It’s been a long time coming for Vanderford after a 14-fight MMA career that featured wins over Fabian Edwards, Vinicius de Jesus, and most recently Victor Romero at LFA 194. He fought for the Bellator middleweight title at Bellator 275, losing by first-round TKO.
VanZant will be in Seattle for Vanderford’s UFC debut this weekend. Afterward, VanZant will turn her attention toward Power Slap and hashing out the details of her MMA comeback.
