Report: Former UFC flyweight Paige VanZant signs multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Former UFC flyweight and strawweight contender, Paige ’12 Gauge’ VanZant has reportedly agreed terms to a multi-fight contract to compete under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Oregon native, VanZant – recently featured under the UFC’s scrutiny at UFC 250 in July on ‘Fight Island’ dropping a first-round armbar to fan-favourite Brazilian grappler, Amanda Ribas.

The outing marked the final on VanZant’s deal – with the 26-year-old openly discussing her intentions to test free agency upon the culmination of her deal with the promotion. ESPN reporter, Ariel Helwani was first to report the news of VanZant’s signature to the David Feldman owned promotion.

VanZant’s move to the Philidelphia based organization marks the end of a six-year, nine-fight stint with the UFC. Throughout that six-year foray, VanZant experienced varying degrees of success, both at her initial strawweight home, and an eventual leap to 125-pound flyweight rankings.

Amassing a 5-4 promotional résumé, the Team Quest trainee began her UFC run with finishes over Kailin Curran, Felice Herrig, and then Alex Chambers – before dropping notable submission defeats to one-time strawweight best, ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas, and then a blemish to former Invicta FC atomweight best, Michelle Waterson.

Last January – VanZant returned to the winner’s enclosure following a two-fight skid, landing her final promotional success, with an armbar victory of her own at UFC Fight Night Brooklyn when paired with Rachael Ostovich.

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.