(Editor’s note: Story has been updated to include a statement from Paige VanZant.)
Paige VanZant won’t be returning to the ring this weekend as expected.
The former UFC star is out of her fight against Charisa Sigala at Bare Knuckle FC 27 this Saturday in London. The plan is to rebook the fight for Oct. 15.
MMA Junkie confirmed the news Tuesday following an initial report from My MMA News, and was told the promotion removed VanZant vs. Sigala from the card in order to headline the upcoming October event.
VanZant issued a statement on Twitter, expressing her frustration with the situation:
THIS IS OUT OF MY CONTROL!!! I WENT AN ENTITE CAMP AND WEIGHT CUT TO BE PULLED A WEEK OUT!!!! pic.twitter.com/CFkDHp5K0y
— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) August 16, 2022
“THIS IS OUT OF MY CONTROL!!! I WENT AN ENTIRE CAMP AND WEIGHT CUT TO BE PULLED A WEEK OUT!!!!”
“I DID NOT PULL FROM MY FIGHT!!!! I WAS PULLED! I AM PISSED OFF AND HEARTBROKEN! I WORKED MY F*CKING ASS OFF TO BE PULLED A WEEK BEFORE I AM SUPPOSED TO COMPETE!!!!!”
This bout was supposed to mark VanZant’s first fight of 2022. The last time the 28-year-old was seen in action was in July 2021 when she lost a unanimous decision to Rachael Ostovich in the main event of BKFC 19. VanZant currently sits winless in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing at 0-2 since leaving the UFC in 2020.
VanZant is mostly known for her stint in the UFC where she competed for six years. She fought 11 times in the octagon, compiling a record of 6-5.
VanZant also has dabbled in pro wrestling and made her in-ring debut this past May for AEW.
