Introduction
Paige VanZant: Navigating a Fractured Combat Career Amid Health Concerns and MMA Return The former UFC star Paige VanZant has announced a return to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) after nearly five years, signing with the fledgling Global Fight League (GFL), but the move comes amidst a significant medical scare and repeated professional transitions. The 30-year-old athlete, who rose to prominence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) before becoming a free agent in 2020, has spent the last five years exploring a range of alternative combat sports, including Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), professional wrestling, and Power Slap. However, the announcement of her MMA comeback has been overshadowed by the revelation of a rare spinal injury and the subsequent delay of her anticipated return fight. The decision to re-enter the cage in 2025 marks a pivotal moment in VanZant’s trajectory, one defined by high profile and a search for stability outside of the traditional MMA structure. Her departure from the UFC followed a 5-4 run in the promotion, with three losses in her final four bouts, culminating in a submission defeat in July 2020. The Draw of the Global Fight League VanZant’s choice of the GFL promotion for her return is closely linked to its proposed economic model. The Global Fight League has positioned itself as a fighter-first organisation, promising what VanZant and others have highlighted as unprecedented financial structures within combat sports. “They offered me a contract and I said yes,” VanZant said recently, explaining her motivation. “Going back to MMA, I think this is the perfect opportunity because I didn't necessarily leave MMA because I wasn't passionate about it anymore. ” The fighter has publicly praised the GFL's reported commitment to a 50-50 revenue share with its athletes, alongside the promise of a pension scheme and comprehensive health insurance. This structure contrasts sharply with the independent contractor model prevalent across much of the industry, particularly in promotions she has recently competed for.
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“Now there’s this new MMA organization that actually made me really excited to fight for them,” she noted. “The way they’re doing it, they’re legit paying their athletes. Everybody I’ve heard that’s negotiated their contract so far is extremely excited and like happy. ” The GFL signing is an attempt to ‘come home’ to the sport she loves, following a period of athletic experimentation. After leaving the UFC, VanZant signed a multi-fight deal with the BKFC, widely considered the most prominent bare-knuckle promotion. Her time there was mixed: she lost her debut to Britain Hart via a competitive decision, later securing a victory against former UFC opponent Rachael Ostovich. A Career of Crossovers VanZant’s post-UFC career has been marked by a willingness to cross over into various, distinct combat disciplines. Following her BKFC run, she also participated in professional wrestling with All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) and competed in a boxing debut. Most recently, she entered the Power Slap League, a controversial new sport sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. She won her debut fight via unanimous decision against Christine Wolmarans and secured a draw in her second outing against Chelsea Dodson. This period of diverse competition allowed VanZant to maintain a high public profile and build upon her financial success outside of the cage.
However, the constant switching between rule sets highlights the difficulty VanZant has faced in securing long-term traction in a single promotion since her UFC departure. Speaking on her journey, VanZant acknowledged the exploratory nature of her recent ventures: “I’ve been able to experience a lot of new options, and be able to stay active in my career, doing, gosh, pro wrestling, Power Slap, boxing, bare-knuckle boxing. And now I feel like I’m finally coming home to my passion. ” Significant Health Concerns The path back to MMA was abruptly complicated by a serious medical issue that arose during her preparations for Power Slap 10, where she was scheduled for a women's world little shot. VanZant was forced to withdraw from the event after discovering a bleed on her spine. She described the situation as "extremely rare," typically occurring only after high-trauma incidents like car accidents. The injury necessitated immediate withdrawal from competition and a series of further medical tests to establish the cause. The severity of the diagnosis led to a stark assessment of the risk. VanZant admitted that if the bleed were to worsen, there was a "chance I will be paralysed. " While she remained optimistic about her recovery, stating, “I feel really good. I’m in good spirits,” the injury places a considerable question mark over the timing and viability of her pending MMA comeback.
The Road Ahead Industry analysts suggest that VanZant’s enduring marketability is a key factor in her continued signing power across different leagues, but the long-term sustainability of her fighting career now hinges on medical clearance. One combat sports commentator noted the dual nature of her career, stating: “Paige VanZant is a unique asset because she draws fan interest regardless of the promotion or the discipline. However, the constant shifts—from gloves to bare knuckles to professional wrestling—suggests an athlete searching for a stable base. ” They added: “If GFL can launch successfully and deliver on their proposed benefits, it could finally provide the environment she needs to focus purely on performance, provided her current health scare is fully resolved. Given her previous history with breaking her arm multiple times in the UFC, any spinal issue is a serious matter that will demand a conservative approach to ring return. ” The Global Fight League’s scheduled launch has also been subject to delays, further complicating the timeline for VanZant’s official return bout. While she is currently firm on her commitment to the GFL and returning to MMA, she has not entirely ruled out a future attempt to return to the UFC, stating she misses the promotion's environment and prestige. For now, Paige VanZant’s immediate future is centered on recovery and rehabilitation, balancing her desire to compete in her chosen passion, MMA, with the undeniable necessity of addressing serious health risks before stepping back into any form of competitive combat.
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