VanZant is returning to the cage for the first time in just over a year on January 14th.
No rest for the wicked.
Jessica-Rose Clark, better known in MMA circles as “Jessy Jess,” just came off a split decision win over fellow Aussie Bec Rawlings in the co-main event of UFC Sydney. But that hasn’t stopped her from asking for and receiving a quick turnaround. She’s now set to face Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night 124 from St Louis on January 14th.
VanZant hasn’t been back in the Octagon since December of 2016 when she lost to Michelle Waterson via rear naked choke in the first round. Since then she’s concentrated on training and media appearances, including a winning run on the cooking reality show Chopped. She recently claimed her next fight would be for the 125 pound title, but that obviously isn’t happening.
Instead she’ll face Jessy Jess, who wasn’t even in the UFC a month ago. A late scratch to Joanne Calderwood earned her the call up to the big leagues and she made the most of it by outworking Rawlings in her debut, which has her on a two fight win streak. Considering how game both are, it should be one hell of a scrap.