Paige VanZant will return to the strawweight division for the final fight on her current UFC contract.
VanZant (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is slated to meet Amanda Ribas (8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at an unannounced UFC event on March 14 in Brasilia, Brazil. Contracts have not been signed, but MMA Junkie verified verbal agreements are in place for the contest following an initial report from MMA Fighting.
VanZant, 25, hasn’t fought since January, when she earned a submission win over Rachael Ostovich at UFC on ESPN+ 1. She suffered another break to her arm in the fight, an injury which has recurred over the past several years.
The win over Ostovich marked VanZant’s debut in the women’s flyweight division. She’s opted to drop back down, though, to close out her UFC deal. VanZant has been vocal that she intends to explore free agency and discover her value on the open market.
Ribas, 26, will attempt to send “12 Gauge” out on a loss. The Brazilian has impressed in her two UFC appearances thus far, with her unanimous decision win over Mackenzie Dern at UFC on ESPN+ 19 in October being her most notable victory to date.
