Paige VanZant’s nearly yearlong hiatus from fighting is approaching its end, and she’s eager to secure victory in a competitive setting for the first time in three-and-a-half years.
VanZant is set to return to the Bare Knuckle FC ring on July 16 when she headlines the promotion’s inaugural event in London. It’s an important moment for “12 Gauge,” who come up short on the scorecards in her first two appearances with the company against Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich.
Although she does not yet have an opponent finalized, VanZant said she will do everything in her power to achieve victory no matter who is standing across from her, because she is not content with the winless stretch since leaving the UFC.
“One thing I can find peace in is that, for me, losing has never gotten easier – it just gets harder and harder,” VanZant told MMA Junkie. “I know how much my heart is still in this and my mind. I just put a lot of pressure on myself. It’s the same thing that I’ll be doing in this next fight. I’m going to go out there and do everything I can to get the victory.
“I can say, looking back at my last two fights, I was never dominated, I was never in a position where I was uncomfortable. I can pride myself knowing that I have got better and better and my boxing continuously is getting better. I’ve had some very close, tough, hard-fought fights with some very talented women. I’m excited to go out there and do that again. This time, of course, continue to grow and go for a victory like I always do.”
Despite knowing the significance of the next fight for the overall outlook of her career, VanZant, 28, does not appear to be viewing it as a make-or-break for her future. She said her team is currently in the early stages of talks with BKFC about a contract extension that would keep her on the roster for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, VanZant’s efforts are directed toward July 16. She said she’s working with a new boxing coach at American Top Team and, nearly a year removed from her previous trip to the BKFC ring, expects to be a far better version of herself.
“It definitely has felt like a year, it has felt like a very long time,” VanZant said. “Unfortunately it just happens the way the world works sometimes. But I’m really excited. I’m excited to go out there again and show my boxing and show how much I’ve improved. I’m still learning a brand new sport and I’m excited to grow within BKFC. I’ve talked to them about a contract extension so I plan to grow with them and grow in the bare knuckle boxing world.”
