Home

UFC

Paige VanZant Has a Date for Her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Debut

Published 01/02/2021, 5:30 AM EST

Follow Us

Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant finally has a date for her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut. VanZant signed with the promotion in August after opting to test free agency.

She fought out her UFC contract and lost to Amanda Ribas via first-round submission in her last appearance for the promotion at UFC 251. Subsequently, she signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with BKFC.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

VanZant took to Instagram to reveal the date of her first professional bare-knuckle fight. She will face former pro-boxer Britain Hart on February 5.

‘PVZ’ is one of the most popular female combat athletes in the world, not necessarily for her fighting skills though. She feels she will have a point to prove when making her debut in the new organization.

After inking her deal with BKFC, VanZant had said, “I feel like I still have this stigma in MMA that I’m just a pretty face, and what a way to prove to people that’s not the way I see myself at all, This is a sport where people probably have the highest rate of getting cut open, and having long term scars is definitely something that I’m not even worried about for me.

Although ’12 Gauge’ earned 5 wins in the UFC, 4 of those via finishes, she doesn’t get enough credit for her skills inside the octagon. Her fighting caliber is often overshadowed by her glamourous looks. VanZant is determined to break that stigma once she gets into the ring for her new organization.

Paige VanZant raised many eyebrows by choosing BKFC

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Bare-knuckle fighting is one of the most damaging styles of combat. Fans were really worried to see VanZant sign for the promotion. They felt fighting there could permanently scar her face. And they are right to be concerned about her, too.

via Getty

The fighter isn’t worried, despite having a seasoned opponent to battle against. Fans will hope VanZant can come out triumphant and silence her critics, who will scrutinize her first fight with an eagle eye.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Do you see ‘PVZ’ excelling as a bare-knuckle fighter? Will you be tuning in to watch her in action?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Apratim Banerjee

1,260Articles

One take at a time

Apratim Banerjee is an MMA author for EssentiallySports and has been writing professionally for almost a year. Before his current gig, Apratim worked as a UFC writer for Sportskeeda. A long-time MMA fan, Apratim has developed a critical eye for the sport that has helped him transfer his vast knowledge to his copies and give hardcore and casual readers a detailed insight into the fights and fighters.
Show More>