Not everyone’s happy with UFC strawweight Paige Vanzant’s recent success.
Vanzant has already bounced around to a fair share of gyms for a 20 year-old pro, but her former coach sounds pretty upset about being left out of the conversation.
Claiming to be the gym that truly gave Vanzant her start in MMA, Reno Academy of Combat’s Rick Collup released a lengthy post slamming the rising star for a lack of ‘loyalty, honesty or morals.’
Rick Collup-
I’m writing this to everyone who knows of Ms Paige Vanzant and our gym which is the Reno Academy of Combat. I would have never written anything like this but I was totally shocked and so were several others when we read her interview in a MMA magazine. I was shocked, hurt and truthfully very irritated that Paige didn’t mention that she actually started her MMA career at our gym. Her parents actually brought her to us because she was very unhappy where she had been training for less than a year. Her Parents stated that Paige was ignored at her old gym and no one would train with her. When she came to our gym she didn’t have many skills and wanted to receive better training. That gym closed soon after that anyway. As you heard in her own words Paige Vanzant started training at the Reno Academy of Combat when she was 16. We (Reno Academy of Combat) got her first under 18 MMA fight of which she won, her first amateur MMA fight which she won and her first pro fight of which she won. She won every fight she fought when she was with us. Paige then left and moved to Vegas only to lose that fight. Then she moved to Sacramento to train with Alpha Male but eventually moved back to Reno as she was (in her own words) ignored there also and didn’t get along with Uriah Faber and said all the girls were rude and sucked at MMA. After an apology and a long talk we let her train at our gym again. We cornered and trained her for her UFC debut of which she received fight of the night and a huge following due to her skills that she learned from us. Paige Vanzant was on the Reno Academy of Combat fight team each fight, representing Reno Academy of Combat, with Reno Academy of Combat in her corner every fight but one ( the one she lost). Look up any image, video and her UFC post win with fight of the night interview. Who is on her shirt, banner, in her corner etc? Reno Academy of Combat and/or Blood Happens Fight Wear. Her UFC debut walk out shirt was a signature Paige Vanzant shirt on sale on Blood Happens.com that she still gets proceeds from. Reno Academy of Combat supported her from the very beginning of her career and helped get her where she is today. Anyway, not to go on and on but it’s very sad that some people have no loyalty, honesty or morals! I know one thing is my wife, I and all our gym members / fight team helped her and put up with all her fit throwing for years. I can sleep good at night knowing that we all did the very best for her and were there for her even when she wasn’t. Good luck Paige, people will find out the real you eventually. Hope you can sleep at night!
Vanzant spent time training with Ken Shamrock at The Lion’s Den and the House of Ryu in Las Vegas, Nevada under former Xtreme Couture coach Ron Frazier, but she seems to have found a home in Sacramento at Team Alpha Male.
After leaving Team Alpha Male briefly last year, rumors swirled that Vanzant’s departure was due to a falling out with team leader Urijah Faber.
Speaking with FOX Sports in November, Vanzant had a much more logical explanation for the temporary move back home to Nevada.
“I was at Team Alpha Male for a year, but I ended up hurting my back, and getting three bulging discs,” Vanzant said. “I could get medical care for the injuries, but only really through in-state insurance back in Nevada. So, I had to move back with my parents to get physical therapy and train again.
“It would have been too expensive to stay in Sacramento, keep my job, not fight, pay rent, and pay for therapy on my own. I was fortunate to get good physical therapy and got back into the gym after a few weeks off.”
Either way, Vanzant doesn’t seem too bothered.
Sometimes you just need to boogie:) never let negative people hold you down! #crosstraining pic.twitter.com/C976LnFJ0S
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) March 20, 2015
Vanzant faces Felice Herrig April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15 in Newark New Jersey.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Pitbull gets her wish. Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia is being targeted for UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro.
The MMA Beat. The panel discusses Rafael dos Anjos and Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s thrilling wins on Saturday night, what’s next for Anthony Pettis and the other UFC 185 fighters, plus Josh Koscheck’s quick return, and more.
Conor McGregor is taking over Brazil. The featherweight contender spent his Thursday night in an Irish pub in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and spoke with the media about his upcoming clash with Jose Aldo.
‘I’m here to kill him.’ Conor McGregor says he’s ready to fight UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo Friday. ‘If something kicks off, I’m ready to go. There’s no commission out here, so if sh*t pops off I’m ready.’
‘We need to get this fight on.’ Tyron Woodley is campaigning hard to fight former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks. ‘Why do we have a rankings system? You have a no. 5 welterweight whose fought back-to-back no. 1 contender fights and has never beaten a top 10 welterweight ever.’
MEDIA STEW
McGregor throwing darts at Jose Aldo’s picture.
A look at Thiago Silva’s training camp.
Tim Means is on a mission to find stolen dogs.
The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 presser highlights.
Jamie Varner talks about his new role with the UFC.
TTTHS.
Long watches.
‘You’re Welcome’ with Chael Sonnen – Ep 23 – Jim Cornette & Jamey Jasta
…
The MMA Report – Joe Warren, Damon Martin of FOX Sports
…
TWEETS
Money.
Hello @Reebok and @BrochuKevin I hope I got your attention last week. Let’s talk.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 19, 2015
Damn.
You motherfuckers serious Every fight ? Smh this sports rough but #umadefromglass https://t.co/KT6PiuzTwO pic.twitter.com/s9ItLsndq3
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 19, 2015
Pimp.
A few more days and I’ll have my PIMP bike 🙂 HAPPY #RoweryStylowePl #new #bike #bicycle #… http://t.co/yOJEPB7NzG pic.twitter.com/IKpe42ZHmb
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) March 19, 2015
So much beef.
Pettis say my boxing amateur. We saw how his boxing is. Maybe he should box instead of get 3 haircuts a week @arielhelwani @lorenzofertitta
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 19, 2015
@UFC_UK @LukeBarnatt and he’d happily get beat Try not to lose to 2 people I’ve never heard of in a row and maybe one day we can talk.
— michael (@bisping) March 19, 2015
@ColbyCovMMA @ufc @danawhite @arielhelwani LOL you havent done anything worth fighting for. Keep poking tho great job!
— tim means (@MeansTim) March 19, 2015
@MeansTim @ufc @danawhite @arielhelwani lil birdy you would not last 2 rounds with me. Guaranteed!
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) March 20, 2015
@MeansTim you know becoming the 8 in my 8-0 will be the biggest accomplishment of your career. You can brag about it to your grandkids.
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) March 20, 2015
Congrats.
Im gonna be a dad! https://t.co/thVhMGjP7n
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) March 19, 2015
OK.
Guys it would be an honor 2 fight @JohnyHendricks 4 old time sake. Not sure where @danawhite @lorenzofertitta & @ufc R at & I made my point
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 19, 2015
Don’t blame Mark.
Hey Mark just Checkn wit ya Baby got nottn but Luv 4 ya and I got yo back “That’s What We Do Baby” @mark_munoz #UFCFightNight
— Burt Watson (@BurtWatson4real) March 19, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
One of the bills WSOF didn’t pay on my fight against Anthony Jonson on March 24 2013 !!! pic.twitter.com/wD2ALpeoh6
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) March 20, 2015
My sparring partner misses me. Sent me selfie today from Russia pic.twitter.com/FT7Fi0y0tr
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 19, 2015
This is me getting my ass kicked by Cro Cop pic.twitter.com/tMJJ6L7I6f
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) March 16, 2015
Today was a really, really, fuckin weird day. One of the best parts was talking about race with this guy. #NotKidding pic.twitter.com/y8ujxfyCuD
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) March 20, 2015
Had to teach the Russians how to properly mop a mat. Their technique was frustrating to watch. We… https://t.co/7mZjMZwWd6
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) March 17, 2015
I hate doing this! Such a pain in ass. https://t.co/FdE0geZ0k1
— michael (@bisping) March 18, 2015
Surgery rescheduled for Friday! !!! That’s almost a whole week before fixing my broken arm!!!! Feeling frustrated
— Roger Narvaez (@Silverback316) March 18, 2015
It’s true I had to cut my hair to make weight but all that means Is this strap not going anywhere #andstill pic.twitter.com/7xYzWLrSfQ
— Toon (@predatortoon) March 20, 2015
95% of the posts on Twitter today. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/t8YF3XlxWX
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) March 20, 2015
Never ask for a fucking fade at a beauty salon
— Anthony Gutierrez (@Sharkbait816) March 16, 2015
@BrianStann 1st class is not what it used to be
— T E Watson (@TomKongWatson) March 20, 2015
@KyleNoke congrats mr Noke! pic.twitter.com/DS59W8kMGg
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) March 18, 2015
Threw up all night, turned 34, & am too tired for makeup but still look fly as hell thanks to… https://t.co/Js8119PYyt
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) March 18, 2015
OBRIGADA @CopaAirlines POR TEREM CUIDADO TÃO BEM DA MINHA BAGAGEM! Não consigo acreditar até agora a situação da mala pic.twitter.com/x5DJ6hkwtq
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) March 15, 2015
#Eat1ForFili pic.twitter.com/9MQnwTakTb
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) March 19, 2015
This should be my fight! pic.twitter.com/3Ed2tuJYEN
— Lavar Johnson (@LavarJohnson) March 19, 2015
Wow it’s getting worse pic.twitter.com/voPrhgSERY
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) March 19, 2015
You know you’re training BJJ when you wake up and you don’t have enough ice packs for all the parts that are killing you
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 19, 2015
Cat-A-Day-Until-Peggy-Gets-A-Fight Day 17 @shanknapp @julesk_fighter @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/duzhnJ10qy
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) March 19, 2015
Got to take off my dressing from surgery today. Had to have my bicep reattached on my right side and… https://t.co/AuHh4G9HWW
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) March 19, 2015
My @twitter account was hacked but I got it back. Thanks to @UFC_Shanda and the Twitter team. Thanks for the support! pic.twitter.com/2zg2mFkxE4
— Cung Le (@CungLe185) March 16, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (March 18 2015)
Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia at UFC 190
Yan Cabral vs. K.J. Noons UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Condit
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Emmery Myers.
2015 has been a great year for MMA. This year started strong, and has shown no signs of slowing down. Not even MMA’s Lance Armstrong/Jose Canseco’s steroid ragnarok could bring this year down. Every event is posting solid numbers and even UFC 184, a supposedly down card which was going to prove Rousey was not a draw, is poised to be her best solo number yet. UFC 185 was a strong event event going in, with two title fights and a budding star in Anthony Pettis, but where it lacked the mainstream media starpower of Ronda Rousey, the storylines going out of it have kept the MMA fanbase buzzing in a big way. This kind of post fight energy is exactly what the UFC needed to keep the momentum up.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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