Fighter Paige VanZant Announces Return to MMA, Seizes Ideal Chance
Paige VanZant has engaged in various combat sports, but the 30-year-old has chosen to revisit MMA.
On her podcast, "Paige and Austin: A Kickass Love Story," VanZant revealed that she's joined the Global Fight League.
"They're picking up anyone and everyone with a renowned name in this sport who's a free agent," VanZant stated. "They offered me a contract, and I accepted."
VanZant last participated in MMA in July 2020, losing in the first round via armbar to Amanda Ribas. However, she's remained active in other combat sports over the past five years.
Since her last MMA fight, VanZant has undertaken two bare-knuckle boxing bouts, a boxing match, and a slap fight. She lost both bare-knuckle fights to Britain Beltran Hart and Rachel Ostovich by unanimous decision. In the boxing match, she drew with Elle Brooke but triumphed over Christine Wolmarans in June at "Power Slap."
VanZant's arrival bolsters an intriguing lineup of fighters signed by the GFL. The new MMA league is reportedly offering a 50-50 revenue split with fighters and unmatched benefits in the sport.
From a roster standpoint, VanZant seems to share the league's vision. The GFL is signing numerous fighters with significant names who aren't tied to other mixed martial arts organizations.
However, the GFL's roster currently boasts several fighters believed to be past their prime, such as Wanderlei Silva, Anthony Pettis, Frank Mir, Alexander Gustafsson, and Renan Barao.
At 30, VanZant isn't expected to challenge in the UFC, but she's not old enough to be grouped with the aforementioned legends. Additionally, the GFL appears to be balancing its roster with young prospects who could ascend within the organization.
Russian heavyweight Aleksandr Maslov, 31, and Cameroonian lightweight Ayinda Octave, 27, are two such prospects. It should be intriguing to watch fighters who haven't had the chance with larger promotions.
The GFL intends to employ a team-based, season, and playoffs format, with a draft scheduled for January 24th. The season commences in April.
While countless question the champions' capacity to deliver engaging fights at this point in their careers, interest persists in witnessing them in action, regardless of the arena.
Nearly 100 million people tuned in to observe a 58-year-old Mike Tyson box Jake Paul for eight rounds. If the GFL can inspire an audience equal to 5% of Paul and Tyson's Netflix spectacle, the project will be deemed a success.
VanZant is the most prominent female fighter to join the GFL to date. We'll see if she emerges as a pioneer.
- Paige VanZant's decision to join the Global Fight League (GFL) has been widely discussed in UFC news, as she aims to revitalize her MMA career after a hiatus.
- The GFL roster has seen a significant addition with the signing of Paige VanZant, who has proven her versatility in various combat sports beyond MMA.
- Global Fight League's move to sign Paige VanZant, a free agent in MMA, follows their strategy of recruiting renowned names in the sport to their league.
- Paige VanZant's inclusion in the GFL roster adds to the anticipation and excitement around the league, which is delivering a 50-50 revenue split and unmatched benefits to its fighters.
