Paige VanZant left the UFC after her last fight on Fight Island in July. The fighter wished to test free agency and has found a new home with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC). The reveal came a few hours after ‘12 Gauge’ teased that she is signing on with a promotion. Many believed it to be Bellator, where her spouse Austin Vanderford competes. 

The former UFC fighter opines that her move was to break a stigma she feels is attached to her because of her pursuits away from professional fighting. She 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.“

Read: “Contract Signed” – Paige VanZant Drops Big News

The comments highlight the fact that VanZant rose to stardom only after she arrived as a professional fighter. She sees fighting as her everything, but bare-knuckle fights remain highly dangerous. 

She said, “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.”

Paige VanZant thanks her fans for their support

Later, the fighter posted a message to her Instagram followers. Here she conveyed her love towards the support she received ever since the BKFC signing became public.

She wrote, “It’s just the love of competition and I’m really excited to go out there and show off in such an amazing sport. Thank you so much for all the love!!!! I couldn’t be happier with my fans support right now. Love you all so much and I can’t wait to fight for you!!!!”

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VanZant lost four of her last six fights in the octagon. Three of these came via submission, which is seen as her weakest point. In a bare-knuckle competition, she would be in a striking match, which is something she has shown an inclination to excel in. 

Read: WATCH: Amanda Ribas Destroys Paige VanZant With Brapper Armbar Submission at UFC 251

During her fighting career, ‘12 Gauge’ has claimed two wins via TKO, both coming as a result of punches. She will look to put aside her dismal UFC run and adapt to fighting in a roped ring.

All fans know right now is that ’12 Gauge’ has inked a multi-fight deal. The BKFC promotion is yet to announce her debut bout. But it will be something that the MMA community and the bare-knuckle fight fans will scrutinize closely.