What Happened to Paige VanZant? (2024)

By Arslan Saleem April 16, 2024 14:46

Paige VanZant, a former UFC fighter, has been making headlines lately after announcing her return to combat sports following a hiatus of almost three years.

Butrather than returning to mixed martial arts or bare-knuckle boxing, she is set to make her professional boxing debut, marking a significant shift in her fighting career.

Career Background

Paige VanZant began her professional fighting career in 2012, training in Ken’s Shamrock gym in Las Vegas, Nevada. She made her professional MMA debut in the same year, achieving a 3-1 record on the regional scene.

In December 2013, she was signed by the UFC as part of an 11-women group to initiate a new women’s strawweight division.

But despite her promising start, VanZant only managed to win five out of her nine fights inside the octagon.

After leaving the UFC in July 2020, VanZant signed with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in August 2021, experiencing two decision losses in her BKFC outings against Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich.

She was also scheduled to face Charisa Sigala twice in the second half of 2022, but the bookings were canceled due to her withdrawal.

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Also, VanZant intermittently appeared and performed in the professional wrestling organization AEW from September 2021 to May 2022.

Transition to Boxing

In a surprising turn of events, Paige VanZant announced that she would be making her professional boxing debut after being offered a fight, which she accepted eagerly.

She expressed her excitement about the opportunity and mentioned that despite initially expecting her next fight to be a bare-knuckle boxing match, the chance to compete in a straight boxing match was too good for her to pass up.

Although she did not disclose the details of her opponent, the event, or the location, she revealed that the fight would involve gloves, signifying a new direction in her fighting career.

Challenges and Speculations

This transition to professional boxing has raised questions about VanZant's readiness for this new challenge.

Her lack of experience in professional boxing and previous losses in bare-knuckle matches have led to speculations about her preparedness for this transition.

But her eagerness to accept this new challenge after a period of absence demonstrates her determination and commitment to returning to the ring, despite the uncertainties surrounding her upcoming fight.

Future Prospects

The possibility of Paige VanZant competing again in 2024 largely depends on the successful finalization of her boxing match and her performance in the ring.

The exact opponent, event details, and location of her professional boxing debut remain undisclosed, adding to the intrigue surrounding her comeback.

Ultimately, Paige VanZant's transition to professional boxing marks a significant development in her career.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding her upcoming fight, her determination to explore different avenues within combat sports reflects her unwavering commitment to the sport.

As fans and analysts eagerly await her debut in professional boxing, the intrigue surrounding her return to the ring continues to grow, making her comeback a compelling subject of interest in the world of combat sports.

Paige VanZant's journey from the UFC to BKFC and now to professional boxing signifies her resilience and adaptability as she continues to pursue her passion for combat sports.

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