Paige VanZant has signed with upstart company Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, per reports by MMA Fighting and ESPN. VanZant, whose UFC contract concluded last month, posted a photo of a contract signing with news “coming soon.”
VanZant signs with Bare Knuckle, per report
VanZant shared a photo on Instagram of her holding a pen and a signed contract on the table with the word “signed!!”
“About to change the game. Fight news coming soon. #bigbusiness,” she wrote. It’s reportedly a multi-fight deal, though terms have not been reported yet.
Bellator, owned by Viacom CBS, was also a known suitor for the fighter. President Scott Coker told MMA Fighting she declined an offer with them. Her husband, Austin Vanderford, is on a contract with Bellator.
BKFC is based in Philadelphia in April of 2018.
VanZant coming off submission loss at UFC
VanZant’s last fight was in July at UFC 251. She lost to Amanda Ribas via first-round submission. It was her first fight in 18 months following a victory over Rachael Ostovich at UFC Fight Night in January 2019.
She’s dealt with injuries over the years, including a broken right arm in January 2018 during a loss by decision to Jessica-Rose Clark.
Bec Rawlings is the current women’s champion at BKFC. Rawlings lost to VanZant in an August 2016 UFC fight that was decided by knockout. VanZant was 8-5 in UFC after making her debut in November 2014.
