December 16, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Paige VanZant weighs in for her bout against Michelle Waterson during weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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Paige VanZant Returns To MMA After BKFC And Power Slap Stint

Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant makes her highly anticipated return to MMA after stints in BKFC and Power Slap!

Paige VanZant was a fighter who burst onto the UFC scene with her dynamic style and million-dollar smile. She has been on quite an adventure since leaving the UFC in 2020. From bare-knuckle boxing to Power Slap competitions, she’s tried it all.

Now, at 30 years old, ‘PVZ’ is ready to return to her MMA roots with an exciting twist. She is joining UFC’s brand new competitor, Global Fight League (GFL), proving that you can always come home to what you love most.

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Paige Van Zant’s Comeback To MMA

The fighting world has been a wild ride for VanZant since her UFC departure. She went from throwing kicks in the octagon to throwing hands without gloves in BKFC. The American fighter even dabbled in the controversial world of Power Slap. She was trying every flavor at the combat sports ice cream shop. Some worked out, some didn’t.

This GFL signing isn’t just another chapter in her book. It’s potentially the start of something special. With eight former UFC champions already on board and 60 female fighters spanning five divisions, VanZant isn’t joining some small-time operation.

🚨 Exciting news! 🇺🇸 Paige VanZant is returning to MMA after nearly five years! She’s signed with Global Fight League (GFL), a new promotion launching this year with major backing, aiming to rival UFC and PFL.

GFL has also signed other notable free agents, including former ONE… pic.twitter.com/hvN8urOTsQ
— Women's MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) January 1, 2025

The GFL’s inaugural draft is set for January 24, with events kicking off in April. Paige VanZant will be part of a roster that includes serious talents like former Bellator champ Julia Budd and Invicta FC veterans Jessica Penne and Tonya Evinger.

And with former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez joining as part of management alongside legendary coach Javier Mendez, the league has some serious brain power behind it.

Some critics might roll their eyes at another Paige VanZant’s MMA comeback. But here’s the thing – in a sport where most athletes stick to one lane, she has been brave enough to explore different avenues.

From UFC to BKFC, from Power Slap to boxing exhibitions, each experience has added tools to her arsenal. Now, she is bringing all that knowledge to a league that’s looking to change the game. Whether it will work out remains to be seen.

(Image Credit: Kyle Terada – Imagn Images)

Paige VanZant

UFC

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!