Paige VanZant has admitted she would need to work very hard to earn her place back in the UFC.
VanZant enjoyed a career in Dana White‘s MMA promotion from 2014 until 2020, taking away a record of 5-4 during her stint.
GettyVanZant had a nine-fight career in the UFC before leaving in 2020[/caption]
She burst on to the scene as a real superstar but parted ways with the promotion five years ago.
’12 Gauge’ has since gone on to fight in bare-knuckle boxing under Conor McGregor‘s BKFC banner, as well as competing in White’s Power Slap.
She has also fought in the boxing ring against Elle Brooke, so has had experience in a variety of different combat sports.
But the 30-year-old has admitted she recently realised she misses competing in the UFC, and would always receive any potential comeback opportunity with open arms.
She said: “If I’m completely honest and transparent, I was to a point where I was happy with my career and I was happy with my success in my life and everything I’ve accomplished.
“Of course, I wanted to continue to chase dreams, but making the walk with my husband [Austin Vanderford] again, I was like, ‘Damn, like I really miss this and I realise how special it is.’
“I signed when I was 19 years old, I’m in my UFC debut at 20. I didn’t realise what a big deal it was back then.
“I didn’t realise how special it was. And now seeing that process and leaving, like maybe I took it for granted.
“I know it would take a lot of work for me and a lot of dedication for me to earn my shot back into the UFC.
“But definitely, my heart misses it. So we could [come back], we’ll see.
“But right now I am truly happy and honored to be a part of Power Slap and that’s something I’m gonna pursue for a long time.”
VanZant has clearly caught her motivation back to earn her way back into the UFC, after watching her husband’s debut victory in the promotion last month.
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She made a bright start to life in the octagon putting together three consecutive wins.
But her form tailed off and she was tapped out in quickfire fashion by Amanda Ribas in her final bow in 2020.
Despite considering a UFC return, she will compete in MMA again having signed a long-term deal with start-up promotion Global Fighters League.
It could provide a unique opportunity for the talented American to get her career back on track.
And she is extremely focused on the task at hand.
“I think this is the perfect opportunity because I didn’t necessarily leave MMA,” VanZant continued.
“I definitely didn’t leave MMA because I wasn’t passionate about it, but when I became a free agent outside of the UFC, the biggest offer that came in was [from BKFC].
“They were the ones. They presented the best offer to me and it was exciting, and it was new, and it really sparked my interest.
“Now there’s this new MMA promotion organization that actually made me really excited to fight for them.”
