After a frustrating start to 2024 marked by back-to-back fight cancellations, it appears former UFC star Paige VanZant may have finally found her next potential opponent and combat sports home: a familiar face in a new arena.
VanZant, who has explored various combat sports disciplines since departing the UFC, including Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, traditional boxing, and even Dana White`s Power Slap, has faced recent setbacks. An injury forced her out of a scheduled Power Slap title fight in June, following the earlier collapse of a GFL event in May where she was slated to compete against former Bellator fighter Randi Field. This series of unfortunate events has left the popular fighter in search of her next opportunity.
Enter “Dirty Boxing.” This emerging hybrid combat sport, spearheaded by fellow notable fighter Mike Perry, recently held its second event. Among the attendees keeping a close eye on the action was Paige VanZant herself. The event featured a fighter with a significant history with VanZant: Jessica-Rose Clark.
Clark, who previously defeated VanZant by unanimous decision in the UFC in 2018, successfully competed in the Dirty Boxing ring. Following her victory, a notable encounter occurred between the two fighters.
Reports indicate VanZant and Clark crossed paths backstage or post-fight, exchanging words that strongly suggested mutual interest in a rematch under the Dirty Boxing ruleset. The simple, direct exchange — “Let`s do it. See you soon.” — serves as a clear signal that both athletes are open to running back their past contest, but with a distinct twist.
A History Etched in Grit
Their initial encounter on January 14, 2018, at UFC St. Louis, holds a unique place in VanZant`s career narrative. While Clark secured the decision victory, the fight is perhaps most remembered for VanZant`s remarkable toughness. Early in the first round, VanZant reportedly broke her arm throwing a spinning back-fist. Despite this significant injury, she continued to fight for the remaining two rounds, showcasing incredible resilience.
Completing the distance with a broken limb against a professional competitor is no small feat, a testament to VanZant`s warrior spirit, even in defeat. The fact that she battled through the pain, even winning the final round on some scorecards despite nearly being finished by a triangle choke in the second, has become part of her fighting legend.
A Potential Redemption Story?
Seven years removed from that night, the possibility of a rematch in Dirty Boxing presents an intriguing scenario. For VanZant, it offers a chance to finally get back into active competition after her recent cancellations and potentially avenge a loss that occurred under compromised circumstances. The different rule set of Dirty Boxing could also favour her striking background.
For Clark, who transitioned out of the UFC after a tough run and has since found success in other ventures like Muay Thai and now Dirty Boxing, a rematch against a high-profile name like VanZant could provide a significant boost and demonstrate her adaptability across combat sports platforms.
While no official announcement has been made, the verbal exchange between VanZant and Clark at Dirty Boxing 2 has generated considerable buzz. It suggests that after navigating a period of uncertainty, Paige VanZant might be on the verge of securing her next fight, and it could be a compelling rematch against a former foe, offering a narrative of redemption in a new, bare-knuckle environment.
