VanZant is currently sidelined from fighting with an injury, but that won’t stop her from keeping busy with an M-1 Global color commentary gig.
Paige VanZant has had a ton of interesting opportunities across her five year stint as a UFC fighter. From reality show runs on Dancing With The Stars and Chopped to the release of her powerful biography with a major publication, the sky seems to be the limit for the 24 year old star, even though it’s still a big question whether she’ll ever hold a championship belt in the cage.
A big win over Rachel Ostovich on the UFC’s debut ESPN card snapped a two fight losing skid, but VanZant’s momentum has once again been derailed by a broken arm, the second such injury in just over a year. It looks like she’ll be keeping herself busy with another extra-curricular activity while she heals up. In a press release put out by the UFC, it was announced that PVZ would make her live debut as an MMA lead color commentator for M-1 Global on April 4th.
Road to M-1: USA 2, held at the Pipa Event Center at Quechan Casino Resort in Yuma Arizona, will air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Former Bellator commentator and M-1 fixture Sean Wheelock will handle play-by-play duties alongside VanZant.
VanZant teased the announcement on her social media accounts the day before the announcement was made.
I can’t wait to share pic.twitter.com/KftJka6gC3
— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) March 27, 2019
“I’m really excited for this opportunity to work as the color commentator for M-1 Global – USA on UFC FIGHT PASS,” VanZant said in the press release. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to showcase my skills on the other side of the microphone.”
VanZant will bring a bevy of experience appearing network TV shows like Good Morning America, and with the UFC’s heavy reliance on fighters in commentary and analyst roles, we don’t doubt the promotion is hoping she’s develop into a talented on-air personality.
As for how long it will take before her arm heals and she returns back to the Octagon? VanZant is hoping to be cleared to train in a month which could have her back sometime after July. But you’ll still be seeing a lot of Paige VanZant sooner than that. She’s set to appear in the upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue which comes out in May.