Paige VanZant Signs New Deal With UFC
Rising women’s strawweight contender Paige “12 Guage” VanZant has become widely popular at just 21 years of age, and seems to be blossoming into a full-fledged star in the rather new UFC 115-pound division.
With the looks, the skills, and the charisma, UFC president Dana White has previously called VanZant a “little rock star”, and it seems as if the Team Alpha Male trained fighter plans on sticking around the fight game for the foreseeable future.
MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani recently reported that with only one fight left on her contract, “12 Guage” was interested in signing a new long-term deal with the UFC. Today (September 17, 2015) it seems as if she has gotten her wish, as VanZant broke the news of a new contract via her twitter, also noting that she has her next fight lined up:
Just signed a new @ufc deal and got my next fight lined up 😉 pic.twitter.com/EaT8NRpbEx
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) September 17, 2015
Since entering the Octagon for the very first time in 2014, VanZant’s success and potential has been very apparent. Having already inked a solo deal with sports apparel giant Reebok, “12 Guage” has also skated to an undefeated 3-0 record in the UFC.
In her debut at UFC Fight Night 57 last November, she scored a rather impressive TKO victory over Kaitlin Curran, which she followed up with a clear cut, one-sided decision victory over veteran Felice Herrig at last April’s UFC on FOX 15 from New Jersey.
Most recently, “12 Guage” scored a third-round submission victory over Alex Chambers at September’s UFC 191 from Las Vegas. The victory earned her the No. 6 ranking in the division, and although she has said that she would like to take things slow, and enjoy her career, VanZant may not be too far away from a title shot.
Despite having a fight booked, we are currently unsure of the opponent. No. 7-ranked Randa Markos has expressed interest in fighting her which could be a fight that makes sense. Markos has won two out of her last three bouts, and would give “12 Guage” the chance to knock off another top 10 contender.
Who should VanZant meet next?
