PAIGE VANZANT has claimed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will pay her TEN times more than what she earned in the UFC.
The former UFC strawweight shocked the combat sports world last August by penning a multi-fight, multi-million-pound contract with BKFC.
Paige VanZant says her contract with BKFC will see her earn ten times what she made in the UFCCredit: GETTY
Paige VanZant got into an altercation with Britain Hart during yesterday’s BKFC weigh-insCredit: BKFC
VanZant is set to make her BKFC debut tonight against professional boxer Britain Hart, a fight she says will earn her a huge wad of cash.
Speaking after the fiery weigh-ins for Bare Knuckle FC’s KnuckleMania, the American Top Team star: “I’m here for a reason.
“I was in the UFC for six years getting paid $40,000 (to show) and $40,000 (to win), and now I’m getting ten times that doing what I love.
“So obviously, I’m not going anywhere. I’m very happy fighting here and I’m excited to fight.”
Before her final UFC fight with Amanda Ribas, which she lost via first-round submission, VanZant claimed she made more money on Instagram than she did fighting in the octagon.
That drew the ire of UFC chief Dana White, who fired a parting shot at her during the UFC 251 post-fight press conference.
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Paige VanZant suffered a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251Credit: Getty
He said: “When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not being paid enough,’ and you’re fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, (suffering) injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight?
“She should definitely test free agency.”
Despite being tied down to a long-term deal with BKFC, VanZant hasn’t completely closed the door on a return to mixed martial arts.
She told TMZ: “BKFC, they did give me the liberty in my contract to be able to take an MMA fight.
Paige VanZant is now training at American Top TeamCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant
“I was informed of that by my manager, and I didn’t know that at first. At first, I was like, ‘No, I just want to do the boxing.’
“But I think that coming to American Top Team, it re-birthed my excitement and I now realise how good I am.
“I’m training with these coaches who believe in me. Having them say they believe in me, and they train some of the best fighters in the entire world, and they look at me and they believe that I’m good.
“So that kinda sparked that passion all over the place. So yeah, maybe I will take an MMA fight.
“I’m strictly focused on the boxing right now, especially for this fight. That’s all I do. But, maybe. Let’s see. The door is open, so it’s definitely there.”
Watch Paige VanZant and Britain Hart clash at explosive weigh-in ahead of ex-UFC star’s bare knuckle bow at KnuckleMania
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
