BKFC star Paige VanZant isn’t ready to pull the plug on her combat sports career: ‘I’m desperate to fight’

Paige VanZantUFC fighter turned BKFC brawler Paige VanZant isn’t putting her combat sports career to bed just yet. After six years and nine fights under the UFC banner, ’12 Gauge’ walked away from the promotion in search of a more lucrative offer despite her middling 5-4 record inside the Octagon. VanZant ended up getting exactly that, […]

Paige VanZant

UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler Paige VanZant isn’t putting her combat sports career to bed just yet.

After six years and nine fights under the UFC banner, ’12 Gauge’ walked away from the promotion in search of a more lucrative offer despite her middling 5-4 record inside the Octagon. VanZant ended up getting exactly that, landing a lucrative offer with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship shortly after her departure from the Las Vegas-based promotion.

More than three years after signing on the dotted line with BKFC, she is still yet to earn her first victory inside the squared circle.

Dropping her first two fights against Britain Hart and former UFC foe Rachael Ostovich, Paige VanZant was determined to get that elusive W in bare-knuckle brawling. ’12 Gauge’ booked herself a fight with Charisa Sigala in August 2022, but days before she was set to step inside the ring, the BKFC inexplicably pulled the plug on the matchup.

BKFC founder David Feldman offered little explanation for the move, but many suspected the promotion’s ticket sales in London, where the event was emanating from, were lower than anticipated forcing them to make some cost-cutting moves ahead of fight night.

Taking to social media, Paige VanZant revealed that she was left depressed after BKFC informed her of the sudden cancellation.

“So, of course, the last fight that I was supposed to have for BKFC, the fight got pulled the week of the fight,” VanZant explained on Instagram. “I had cut all my weight, I was so excited to fight, I got mega depressed.”

“So, I took a little bit of time off and I’m back in the gym, training 100 percent now. And I feel like I’m in a really good place, where I’m training for fun and to get better. Not just to prepare for a fight” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Paige VanZant Hopes to Fight Again in the BKFC Squared Circle

With VanZant making money hand over fist online via social media and OnlyFans, many have questioned whether or not she’ll ever return to the ring.

“I want to continue, just kind of doing this, what I’m doing right now,” VanZant said. “Training to have fun, to get better and learn and then once I feel, like I’m desperate to fight — which I do really want to — but once I feel like I’m mentally and physically prepared, then I’m going to take a fight.

“I don’t want to just take a fight because I want to. I want to really feel it in my body, that I’m ready. So, it’s coming though. I am working really hard.”

With his million-dollar investment in Paige VanZant producing lackluster results thus far, BKFC President David Feldman is willing to give ’12 Gauge’ one more shot.

“I think she wants one more crack at it,” Feldman told MMA Fighting in May. “I know that I want to give her one more crack at it, so I think we’re going to have at least one more run there.”

Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant made more money from 24 hours on OnlyFans than entire 10-Year fight career

Paige VanZantEx-UFC star Paige VanZant has made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans than she did during her entire career as a professional fighter. ’12 Gauge’ has undeniably become one of combat sports’ biggest stars. Ironically, her fame reached a high point after she had largely walked away from competing. Following a middling six-year run […]

Paige VanZant

Ex-UFC star Paige VanZant has made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans than she did during her entire career as a professional fighter.

’12 Gauge’ has undeniably become one of combat sports’ biggest stars. Ironically, her fame reached a high point after she had largely walked away from competing. Following a middling six-year run under the UFC banner, Paige VanZant walked away from the promotion, betting on herself in the free agency market. It paid off as she bagged a big-money deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

However, her appearances inside the squared circle have been few and far between once she realized the kind of money she could make through social media platforms and the popular subscription-based website OnlyFans.

During a recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ OnlyStans podcast, Paige VanZant revealed that she’s already made more money on OnlyFans than in her entire fight career. In fact, she eclipsed that amount within 24 hours of activating her OF account.

“I would say when I made the switch to OnlyFans…there’s a lot of stuff I’ve done in my career…I’ve been really fortunate that my career even outside of the UFC and outside of fighting has been pretty successful,” VanZant said.

“I’ve worked pretty hard in other industries and trying to crossover to like I guess more of a mainstream personality. But yes, OnlyFans has definitely been my largest source of income. I would say combined in my fighting. I think I made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans than I had in my entire fighting career” (h/t Unilad).

Don’t Count on Seeing Paige VanZant Return to the Ring or the Cage Anytime Soon

Paige VanZant is still under contract with the BKFC, but it’s probably safe to assume that her time competing with the bare-knuckle fight group is over.

Frankly, the appeal of seeing PVZ fight has waned significantly after she went winless in her first two appearances with the promotion, leaving the BKFC hesitant to pay her the big bucks she wants. On the flip side, VanZant simply can’t justify taking the time to compete because it would only take her away from her number one source of income.

“The hard thing for me to put in perspective is with endorsements I make way more money sitting at home, posting pictures on Instagram, than I do fighting. With endorsement deals and everything I pull in from social media, I would actually be a loss just taking a fight and focusing on that,” VanZant added. “If I were to stop everything I do outside of fighting and take a fight, I would be at a loss financially.

Paige VanZant also takes issue with the pay gap between women in combat sports compared to men, citing her last round of negotiations with the BKFC.

When I did my contract negotiation the last time, the talk was, ‘I can’t pay you more than a female champion.’ Okay, but why are comparing me to just women? All of us should be getting paid more in general.”

UFC veteran Paige VanZant could make BKFC return in September, potential opponent revealed

Paige VanZantPaige VanZant may not be completely done with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The ex-UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler has made a name for herself, and a boatload of cash, as a content creator on the popular subscription-based website OnlyFans. In fact, ’12 Gauge’ has made so much money flaunting her wares that many simply assumed […]

Paige VanZant

Paige VanZant may not be completely done with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

The ex-UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler has made a name for herself, and a boatload of cash, as a content creator on the popular subscription-based website OnlyFans. In fact, ’12 Gauge’ has made so much money flaunting her wares that many simply assumed she had unofficially hung up her gloves and hand wraps for good. However, BKFC founder Dave Feldman suggests that VanZant could return for one more scrap inside the squared circle.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Feldman, like many, assumed that Paige VanZant’s fighting days were over, but that does not appear to be the case.

“I actually questioned that myself, but she had a conversation with a couple of the guys on the team and I don’t think that she’s moved on,” Feldman said. “I think she wants one more crack at it. I know that I want to give her one more crack at it, so I think we’re going to have at least one more run there.”

After signing a very lucrative contract with the promotion in 2020, Paige VanZant failed to live up to the hype, losing her BKFC debut at the promotion’s inaugural Knucklemania event against fan favorite Britain Hart. She returned five months later to toe the line with former UFC opponent Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19. ’12 Gauge’ once again came up short, dropping her second-straight unanimous decision defeat.

“Paige, she always comes to fight,” Feldman said. “Some people want to say, ‘She lost twice.’ She lost two close fights. She came to fight both times. She challenged herself both times. She doesn’t have to fight a day in her life ever again and she’s going to live a superstar life. She wants to challenge herself again.

“I take my hat off to her. Whatever she’s doing outside the ring, that’s on her own and let her do whatever she’s doing to make that kind of money she’s making, but as far as being a fighter, she keeps wanting to challenge herself and how can you not respect that.”

Paige VanZant Could Toe the Line with Felice Herrig in September

Paige VanZant was tipped for a return to the ring last summer when the promotion made its London debut. Scheduled to face Charisa Sigala, the bout was abruptly axed from the card with no explanation. PVZ was left fuming, revealing that she had nothing to do with the bout being pulled. The matchup was rumored to be rescheduled for October 2022, but it never came to fruition.

As for when Paige VanZant could potentially return, Feldman suggested September when the promotion is expected to deliver their next big event. Feldman also revealed that he hopes to see former UFC standout Felice Herrig make her long-awaited BKFC debut on the same card, possibly against VanZant.

“I’d love to have that,” Feldman said. “Maybe Paige against Felice on that card.”

UFC alum Paige VanZant snaps back at body-shaming ‘Haters’ amid comments that she’s getting ‘Fat as f*ck’

Paige VanZantPaige VanZant doesn’t give a sh*t what you think about her body. The former UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler has been forced to endure a series of body-shaming comments from individuals online after recent photos appeared to show the 29-year-old social media sensation putting on a little bit of weight. ’12 Gauge’ opted to address […]

Paige VanZant

Paige VanZant doesn’t give a sh*t what you think about her body.

The former UFC fighter turned BKFC brawler has been forced to endure a series of body-shaming comments from individuals online after recent photos appeared to show the 29-year-old social media sensation putting on a little bit of weight. ’12 Gauge’ opted to address the changes in her body head-on in a recent Instagram post, letting both her fans and her “haters” know that she is happy just the way she is and that you can expect to see a more authentic version of herself going forward.

“I have been really good at putting my best self forward,” Paige VanZant wrote. “Making sure the world sees the ‘prettiest’ side of me. Where I fell short is that I never showed the true me. Until now. The truth is, yes, I have gained a lot of weight … probably 20-plus pounds, but I also gained strength, power, muscle and a f*ck ton of happiness. I see every single comment on my YouTube channel about how I look pregnant, obese, fat as f*ck, and won’t be able to fit through a door soon. But one thing I have always remembered — happy people ain’t haters and haters ain’t happy.

“So all you haters out there keep on commenting, you’re only growing my platform. And I promise from this day forward to show the real me, forever. The fat me, the broken me, the skinny me, and the happiest f*cking version of me I have ever been. Social media will never be real but I’ll try and be better. Anyway, check out my YouTube channel. Because I’ll be damned if I don’t continue to profit off of THE BEST HATERS IN THE WORLD. Yours in thickness.”

Paige VanZant made her UFC debut in 2014 and competed nine times under the banner, going 5-4, before exiting the promotion in 2020. ’12 Gauge’ signed a lucrative contract with Barek Knuckle Fighting Championship shortly after, but failed to live up to the hype, dropping back-to-back bouts against Britain Hart and former UFC opponent Rachael Ostovich.

Paige VanZant Still Has the Desire to Compete in Combat Sports

Paige VanZant was scheduled to make her return to the squared circle for BKFC’s London debut last year against Charisa Sigala, but the bout was abruptly pulled from the event with no explanation provided. She has not been booked for a return as of yet.

Despite being inactive in combat sports, Paige VanZant has stayed busy on social media. VanZant’s presence on Instagram and OnlyFans has made her a millionaire without having her photogenic face battered inside a cage. As a result, we may never see VanZant compete again. In an interview with MMA Fighting last summer, ’12 Gauge’ suggested that she could retire, but her desire to compete will likely keep her from doing so anytime soon.

“Theoretically I could [retire],” Paige VanZant said this past August. “I don’t have to fight another day in my life. It’s an athlete thing and some people wouldn’t understand it. If you ask LeBron James why do you still play basketball? You don’t need to. Why do all these NBA players, NFL players get to a point in their career like Tom Brady — he doesn’t need to play football anymore, but why does he? Because he’s the greatest of all time, because he wants to continue to compete. It’s what he does. It’s in his blood.

“I don’t compare myself to those people and their greatness, but definitely to their drive to want to continue to be successful. I feel like that’s a part of me as well.”

BKFC boss offers last chance saloon to UFC alum Paige VanZant, admits she may leave promotion this year

Paige VanZant BKFCBKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) president, David Feldman has admitted that former UFC strawweight and flyweight challenger, Paige VanZant will likely land a last chance saloon fight offer to compete in April of this year, or face the possibility of leaving the organization.  VanZant, a veteran of the UFC before making her debut under the […]

Paige VanZant BKFC

BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) president, David Feldman has admitted that former UFC strawweight and flyweight challenger, Paige VanZant will likely land a last chance saloon fight offer to compete in April of this year, or face the possibility of leaving the organization. 

VanZant, a veteran of the UFC before making her debut under the BKFC banner back in February 2021, the Oregon native made her promotional bow in a unanimous decision loss to Britain Hart at BKFC Knucklemania in Miami, Florida.

Rematching past UFC opponent, Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19 back in July 2021 in Tampa, Florida – VanZant suffered her second consecutive loss under the scrutiny of the promotion, in the form of another unanimous judging defeat. 

Back in August of last year, Paige VanZant was scheduled to fight against Charisa Sigala at BKFC 27, however, the matchup was then booked for October, with the bout ultimately then scrapped ahead of fight week. 

Paige VanZant set to be offered April return to the BKFC

Seeing her activity under the promotional banner hampered amid her high-profile signing, VanZant has been handed somewhat of an ultimatum from the aforenoted, Feldman – who explained how he would float an April return, or likely call time on her tenure with BKFC

I’m going to be talking to her (Paige VanZant) this week and there’s a possibility that she returns on a big card we’ve got in April,” David Feldman told Mirror Fighting. “If she doesn’t, then it’s probable that she won’t be coming back to BKFC.”

“She’s making a lot of money doing her other businesses and maybe she doesn’t want to do this anymore, I will find out this week,” Feldman continued. “I don’t think she’s going to turn it down because of money, I think the onl y reason she would turn it down is if she doesn’t have the desire to fight anymore.” (Transcribed by MMA News

8-5 across her professional mixed martial arts career, VanZant’s most recent UFC outing came back in July 2020 against Brazilian grappler, Amanda Ribas, suffering a first round rear-naked choke loss in Abu Dhabi, UAE on “Fight Island’.

BKFC President Lays Out Ultimatum For Paige VanZant’s Future

David Feldman, president of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, has provided the latest update on Paige VanZant’s future in his promotion. After departing the UFC in 2020 following a submission loss to Amanda Ribas, VanZant continued her comb…

David Feldman, president of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, has provided the latest update on Paige VanZant’s future in his promotion. After departing the UFC in 2020 following a submission loss to Amanda Ribas, VanZant continued her combat sports journey under a new banner, trying her hand at bare-knuckle boxing. But the 28-year-old has struggled…

Continue Reading BKFC President Lays Out Ultimatum For Paige VanZant’s Future at MMA News.