‘Sky’s the limit’ with BKFC, boxing or MMA return

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Paige VanZant nonetheless sees the potential of competing in MMA, simply not proper now.

VanZant, who parted methods with the UFC final July, signed a four-fight deal with Naked Knuckle FC only one month later. Whereas she’s actually having fun with her time as a bare-knuckle boxer, VanZant admits that MMA remains to be on her thoughts.

“We’ll see,” VanZant advised MMA Junkie. “I imply, I positively miss it. It’s laborious as a result of I really like each side of coaching and combating. I really like boxing. I might see myself going into professional boxing, and I might see myself persevering with and going again into MMA. I really feel just like the sky’s the restrict. I’m nonetheless tremendous younger, so I’m nonetheless discovering myself on this sport, and I used to be fortunate sufficient that I made a very huge identify for myself at an early age.

“However now it’s time for me to essentially develop on this sport and develop as this sport grows, and I’m simply on this good place right here in Florida – to have American High Group, to have Pedro Diaz and actually simply turn into one of the best fighter that I might probably be.”

VanZant, 27, sees perks in transitioning to bare-knuckle boxing. Identified extra for her grappling in MMA, VanZant has been working extensively on her palms, which she thinks pays dividends sooner or later, irrespective of which path she takes.

“Changing into a greater striker helps you all through your complete profession it doesn’t matter what you do,” VanZant stated. “So I really feel like I’m growing my putting, however the variations for bare-knuckle are extra adjusting to the rounds, adjusting to brief rounds, adjusting to the gap, the vary. There’s only a few small components, however all collectively it’s gonna make me a greater striker for MMA and only a higher striker general. So it’s not essentially that I’ve to re-learn, it’s simply studying new issues to proceed to develop.”

After dropping her BKFC debut to Britain Hart, VanZant will look to rebound on July 23 when she faces Rachael Ostovich, whom she submitted in the first round at UFC Fight Night 143.