Rising star Paige VanZant made a successful pay-per-view debut to kick off the UFC 191 card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The 21-year-old defeated Alex Chambers via submission (armbar) in the third round of the main card’s first fight.
Just over a minute into the third round, VanZant ended things with an armbar of Chambers as her motor kicked into high gear following a strong second stanza.
According to MMAFighting.com, VanZant said she reverted back to basics on-the-fly in order to emerge with the victory:
VanZant spent portions of the first round getting a feel for her opponent, but as Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter noted, the second round wasn’t nearly as close:
However, as Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden observed, VanZant didn’t appear to make great tactical strides:
VanZant’s victory isn’t an all together surprising one. She entered the fight as a 2-29 favorite according to Odds Shark. Chambers was coming off a win against Kailin Curran her last time out, but the 36-year-old was just 1-1 in the UFC in two bouts.
Really, this bout was just about VanZant taking the next step. At 21, VanZant has the skills, look and personality to become a big UFC star. It’s a fact that clearly isn’t lost on the UFC as she’s moved from Fight Pass Prelims to leading off a pay-per-view in just three fights.
Brian Stann explained the phenom’s potential for stardom, per Damon Martin of FOX Sports:
I think the reason is with Paige is she’s not supposed to be — the person you see, the cover is totally different than the book. When you see that little cheerleader walk into the Octagon, you’re thinking “that’s the girl my son should be dating and taking to the prom.”
Then the fight starts and you realize that cheerleader can beat your son’s you know what. She is tough. She is very, very game and it surprises people.
VanZant’s age also means she has a chance to make UFC history. As she is well aware, she still has two years to break Jon Jones record as the youngest champion:
The important thing to note here is that she has plenty of time to break that record. VanZant’s potential is tantalizing, but to this point it’s just that—potential.
The Team Alpha Male product is now 3-0 inside the Octagon, but only one of those opponents is ranked in the division. While some may use that as evidence that VanZant isn’t ready for the spotlight quite yet, she isn’t bothered that she’s slow-playing her run at a title.
“I need to remind myself and remind people that this is my ride,” she said, according to Danny Acosta of Sherdog. “This is my journey. It’s up to me what fights I take. I’m going to take my time. I’m 21 years old. I still have two years to be the youngest belt holder if I wanted to.”
Given her exclusive deal with Reebok, skill inside the Octagon and general marketability, it’s a slow ride that the UFC will enjoy for however long it lasts.
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