Former UFC star Paige VanZant is once again a free agent.
VanZant left the UFC in 2020 and pursued various opportunities in combat sports, including boxing, wrestling, bare-knuckle boxing under Conor McGregor‘s BKFC banner, and Power Slap.
VanZant boasts a pro MMA record of 8-5Getty She tried her hand in other combat sports, such as Bare Knuckle after leaving the UFCSchiaffo LLC/ Power SlapAfter bursting on to the scene with the potential to be a real star, the 31-year-old American fought nine times in the UFC during a six-year period from 2014.
Although her career in Dana White‘s promotion ended in defeat, ’12 Gauge’ admitted last month that she would definitely make a return after successful stints in all of her various endeavours.
VanZant’s wishes to get back into MMA came to fruition in January when she announced she would be making a return to the sport to fight for newly formed promotion the Global Fight League (GFL).
GFL was meant to be MMA‘s next big thing, with legendary fighters like Fabricio Werdum, Anthony Pettis, Luke Rockhold, Tyron Woodley and Alexander Gustafsson having all signed with the promotion.
However, reports emerged this week that the organisation had cancelled its inaugural event, which was due to take place at the end of May.
This left a whole host of MMA’s biggest stars unemployed, including VanZant, who took to Instagram following the news of GFL’s collapse to announce she was officially a free agent.
“#FreeAgent,” VanZant captioned a social media post alongside a blank image, airing her frustration.
She was one of the fighters who was originally scheduled to compete on the GFL’s now cancelled card in May, which featured a doubleheader on May 24 headlined by Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao, before Tony Ferguson fought Dillon Danis the following night.
Ariel Helwani first reported the news, saying there are now ‘serious doubts’ over the future of the organisation.
GFL’s Founder Darren Owen has since released a statement in an email sent to MMA Junkie.
VanZant pursued opportunities in boxing, BKFC, wrestling and Power Slap after leaving the UFCGetty Images - Getty But the 31-year-old will be on the hunt again after being let down by the GFLGetty“Our primary investor didn’t fulfil his obligation, which has caused some issues, however, we have a situation in place,” he said.
“We are likely going to have to launch in June, but 100 percent moving forward.”
This followed confirmation from California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster that the event, due to take place at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, had been cancelled.
GFL’s slump has opened up a wider story on the current state of MMA.
“To me, it’s a story that has come and gone – the GFL that is,” esteemed combat sports journalist Helwani said following the news.
“He just wants to survive, this is his reputation, who knows if he can work in combat sports again.
Tony Ferguson was set to make his GFL debut on a stacked cardGetty“We know what the MMA business is, it’s the UFC, they are the top dog.”
Helwani proceeded to criticise the PFL, another MMA promotion with stars like Francis Ngannou, for not ‘paying as much as they once were.’
PFL Chairman and Founder Donn Davis has since hit back at Helwani, saying he is wrong about his promotion’s fighter compensation.
The MMA community has also had its say on GFL’s downfall.
One took to X and wrote: “It is very bad for MMA when adventurers come in with schemes, using the sport as a means to take [money] from investors, but with no intent to construct an event over the long term.”
Another added: “Feel bad for all the fighters who left or passed on other opportunities to “sign” with GFL. Very unfortunate. This needs to stop. Fighters don’t deserve this kind of treatment.”
Several others credited ex-UFC star Jeremy Stephens, who left the promotion in 2021 but has since re-signed.
He joined BKFC after his UFC departure but was scheduled to return to MMA under the GFL banner, and instead opted to make a return to his old promotion where he fights Mason Jones on May 3.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Paige VanZant announces free agency as MMA promotion collapses and fans fume )
Also on site :