Returning at Power Slap, ex-UFC star Paige VanZant says she's likely done with MMA
Don’t hold your breath for an MMA return from Paige VanZant.
The former UFC star, who in recent years has been fighting for BKFC and Power Slap, doesn’t see herself returning to the sport that launched her profile, although she doesn’t rule it out 100 percent.
VanZant has put a lot of mileage on her body throughout her combat sports career. She still loves MMA but doesn’t want to risk her health any further.
“I don’t ever like to say I’m closing the door 100 percent, but I do see it would be hard for me to go back into MMA, not because I don’t love it or not because I don’t have a passion for it still, but like I said, I broke my arm five times in my life and four times in basically two years of competing,” VanZant told MMA Junkie Radio.
“I had two surgeries on it, and I still have a huge plate that runs the length of my entire forearm. So just going back to that place of risking breaking my arm again and having surgery again and getting set back, I can still have the thrill of competing, and I can still get that rush without putting my body at risk. One, I’m fine if I break my arm, it’s really just the mental fortitude, I don’t know if I can push through that again. It was a really, really rough few years.”
VanZant returns to competition at Power Slap 9 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Although the athletes are taking defenseless blows to the head, there isn’t the wear and tear of grappling in competition or preparation – which VanZant appreciates.
VanZant is signed with Power Slap on a fight-by-fight basis. She doesn’t know how long she’ll continue, but for now, she says it has been a fun career chapter.
“My draw to Power Slap is that I had nothing going on, and I just came out of a boxing match, so I was like, ‘You know what, I’m already in shape,'” VanZant said. “They called and asked if I wanted to do Power Slap, and I was like, ‘Yeah, why not? It seems like a great opportunity. I didn’t know if I would want to do it again, it was a brand-new experience, and I absolutely loved it.”