Paige VanZant was one of the rising stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a crossover star, but now the UFC flyweight has announced that she will be remaining on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after continuing to have injuries to her arm.
In her latest public comments, VanZant announced that she will be out for at least three more months after the news that she needs a third surgery to repair her arm.
“After the second surgery, I said, ‘If I break my arm again, I’m quitting. I’m just not meant to fight,’” VanZant said in a recent interview, via MMAjunkie.com. “But now that I’ve done it again, I’m at a point where it’s like, ‘No, I just don’t give a (expletive) anymore. My stupid arm is not going to stop me.’ I need one more surgery, and I’m going to be fine.”
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She initially planned to return in July.
VanZant recently scored a second-round submission victory over Rachel Ostovich in January. Her initial arm injury came in January 2018, requiring two surgeries. She then visited the Portland Trail Blazers team doctor and learned that a third surgery would be required to rectify the issues.
VanZant’s win over Ostovich snapped a two-fight losing skid and gave her a victory for the first time since August 2016. Her professional record now stands at 8-4 with two wins by KO and three wins by submission.
Outside of the cage, VanZant has also shown some strong crossover appeal by landing in the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. VanZant now becomes the second UFC fighter to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, with former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey being the first.
While we wait for VanZant to return to the cage, you can check out some photos below.
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