Paige VanZant remains to be decided to attain her first win beneath the Naked Knuckle Combating Championship banner.
It’s been greater than two years for the reason that UFC standout turned BKFC brawler has knuckled up contained in the squared circle. She was initially set to seem on the promotion’s London debut in August 2022, however her bout with Charisa Sigala was inexplicably pulled from the cardboard simply days away from her scheduled arrival in The Large Smoke.
“The true frustration, I assume, was the lead-up to the struggle — I labored so exhausting,” VanZant advised MMA Combating. “I used to be so excited for this struggle. Nevertheless it was additionally a giant accomplishment as a pair to say we bought [my husband Austin Vanderford] prepared for his struggle. I used to be at his struggle once I bought the decision that my struggle bought pulled. So him and I have been presupposed to struggle days aside from one another. Simply what goes right into a struggle camp for 2 folks. Weight-reduction plan for each of us, simply the behind-the-scenes issues that folks don’t actually perceive what goes on, simply getting ready.
“For me to get the decision that the struggle bought pulled — a struggle I used to be so prepared for, and I used to be so enthusiastic about. I reduce all the burden early as a result of I knew I might be touring, I might be flying all the way in which to London. My dad was already in London ready for me. It was miserable, after which attempting to determine how you can get proper again right into a struggle camp and never figuring out when their subsequent struggle camp can be. We already had plans to go go to household in Alaska. It’s like, do I cancel my journey to Alaska? It was exhausting to determine what to do subsequent.”
After struggling back-to-back losses in opposition to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich in her first two BKFC outings, VanZant is decided to show her value and get again into the win column for the primary time since 2019. Sadly, she wasn’t given that chance after placing in all of the work.
“That’s the factor, I didn’t even get to struggle,” VanZant stated. “I didn’t get to show myself. I didn’t get to exit and simply do what I like. The struggle camp is the wrestle. You go in, you wrestle, you drop some weight, you’re employed so exhausting and also you sacrifice a lot all through your day-to-day to arrange for one thing, and to have it simply taken away from you, it’s simply irritating.
“I did really feel like there may have been issues accomplished in a different way. I don’t have any in poor health will towards BKFC. I might by no means converse negatively [about them], they’ve handled me extraordinarily effectively. It’s simply extra the way in which all of it performed out was extraordinarily irritating.”
Paige VanZant has not closed the door on BKFC Return
VanZant has discovered loads of methods to maintain herself busy together with her struggle profession in a holding sample. Apart from earning profits hand over fist through OnlyFans and numerous social media retailers, the 29-year-old is at present overseeing the development of her new residence and not too long ago launched a podcast together with her husband and fellow fighter Austin Vanderford. ’12 Gauge’ has additionally dipped her toe into the world of professional wrestling, making a number of appearances for All Elite Wrestling.
Regardless of all of that success outdoors of the struggle recreation, VanZant is aware of that she’s going to inevitably be drawn again into the world of bare-knuckle boxing.
“It’s positively bare-knuckle, and I don’t know if it’s down the highway in six months, I don’t know if it’s down the highway a yr,” VanZant stated. “I actually simply haven’t determined but. I’m going to depart a variety of that as much as my supervisor and my coaches. Simply work on this time to get higher and benefit from the coaching and never fear about signing a struggle contract straight away. Nevertheless it’s positively bare-knuckle.
“I like bare-knuckle boxing. I’ve now gone 10 rounds in bare-knuckle boxing and I’m looking for that victory. I’m looking for lots of issues in bare-knuckle boxing that I haven’t completed, and it will likely be with BKFC once more.”
