ABU DHABI – Dana White doesn’t sound like he’s jumping at the opportunity to re-sign Paige VanZant after her UFC 251 loss Saturday.
At the event’s post-fight news conference, MMA Junkie asked the UFC president if he wants to have VanZant (8-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC) back under the promotion’s banner in her next outing. VanZant’s UFC 251 fight vs. Amanda Ribas was the last on her current contract. VanZant tapped to a first-round armbar against Amanda Ribas.
“I like Paige,” White said. “I like Paige. It’s like (Curtis) Blaydes – when Blaydes fought. When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not getting paid enough,’ and (you’re) fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year (because of injuries), and then get smoked in the first round of the fight, she should definitely test free agency.”
VanZant, 26, has been open about her interest in potentially pursuing other MMA avenues outside the UFC’s gates. In her pre-fight interview Wednesday, VanZant expressed excitement about venturing into uncharted waters.
“I’m excited. I’ve never been in this position ever, so I think it’s an important position for me to be in,” VanZant said. “You don’t really know your value until somebody else tells you what it is, and it’s the option of multiple people that say what they think my value is. So I’m going to gain a lot of knowledge.”
Entering free agency, VanZant has lost four of her past six fights. In three of those losses, VanZant was submitted. VanZant has been with the promotion since mid-2014. Her husband, Austin Vanderford, is an undefeated middleweight on the Bellator roster.
UFC 251 took place at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
