In a surprise move, former UFC strawweight and once hopeful WWE signee Paige VanZant is leaving MMA for a career in bare knuckle fighting instead.
First reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, VanZant has signed a exclusive four fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), turning down a contract offer from front runner and once expected future home, Bellator MMA, where her husband currently fights.
Helwani reported the deal is worth more than $1 million over the life of the deal and also includes incentives.
The 26-year-old lost the final fight on her UFC contract in July and had spoken prior to the fight about wanting to test free agency with Dana White suggesting that would be a good idea. She was 5-4 over nearly six years in the Octagon, fighting just three times since 2017 due to repeated injuries.
During her 13 fight career, she has just two wins by KO or TKO.
VanZant had been linked to WWE in the past, telling TMZ in 2018 she was “definitely interested” in going there, saying she loved it and had the personality for it. She also reportedly was discussing a SummerSlam appearance with the company in 2016.
A significant milestone in WWE history was confirmed last week as the company announced that Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair will headline WrestleMania 35.
Instead of leaving the decision to the last minute, WWE wisely sent out a Monday morning press release on March 25 confirming that the first women’s main event in WrestleMania history would take place this year. An accompanying article was posted on WWE.com, but the announcement was clearly intended for mainstream audiences. The next day, Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte appeared together on ESPN’s SportsCenter to promote their match.
The Conor McGregor situation is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Look at the investigation into him, his retirement, the timing, and why the retirement and Dana White’s reactions are both a public bluffing game.
Read the update on the WrestleMania card, both matches announced and those not yet announced, the Charlotte Flair title win and what it changes about the show, the multiple changes in the top part of the show, the women in the main event, the interest level in the different shows that week and more.
Also look at the New Japan Cup, with match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results, on the entire last week of the tournament and the final show.
Look at Vince McMahon’s stock sale, how much he sold, how much he got and why, as well as the XFL launch and problems with the AAF. Look at the AAF’s new goal.
Look at the retirement of the Bella Twins and their careers, the value of Total Divas and their future plans.
Examine the lawsuit settlement with the wrestlers who have sued Lucha Underground, and the interesting note of the person who backed out of the suit.
Also look at Cain Velasquez’s crossing over into pro wrestling and his deal with AAA, including what they attempted to do with him, the storyline building him up and the wrestlers it looks like he’ll appear with.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
by Bryan Rose and Joseph Currier
WWE
SmackDown tonight will be at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The show’s highlight will be a Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan contract signing for their match at WrestleMania. AJ Styles and Randy Orton will also appear on the Kevin Owens Show.
205 Live has Mike Kanellis facing Akira Tozawa, with Maria Kanellis and Brian Kendrick in their respective corners.
The Alliance of American Football, which was once seen as a rival to the upcoming revival of the XFL, is reportedly suspending its football operations according to Darren Rovell. The league still had four more weeks of games remaining, including their championship game. They haven’t folded completely yet, but it may be heading in tat direction. Vince McMahon decided to revive the XFL after Charlie Ebersol, one of the founders of the AAF, proposed using the XFL trademarks for their football league.
Dean Ambrose made an appearance after Raw went off the air last night, laying out Baron Corbin with the dirty deeds.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Triple H seemed confident that Chyna would get her own induction into the WWE Hall of Fame one day. When asked about her induction within DX, he replied “It’s awesome. I’m thrilled for her as the human being that I knew, for her family and for her sister, who I knew. There is probably not a woman who has ever made as big of an impact as she did. Somebody that transcended the business on her own and I’m sure will be in the Hall of Fame sometime on her own. I think it’s fitting she is in there with DX in the beginning because it’s how she started, and I think it’s what it should be.”
Charlie Morgan, who was injured at the recent SHIMMER tapings, does not have torn ligaments but rather has a sprained ankle. She will take time off but will be back in action.
In a correction from a RISE 13 report from yesterday, Alisha Edwards vs. Bel Pierce was not a dark match, it was taped for the show.
WWN Live posted a video of Josh Briggs injuring his knee at EVOLVE 124. He hopes to be back at 100% by this summer.
Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov got into an altercation at today’s Bare Knuckle FC media day, with Malignaggi slapping Lobov. Lobov is a friend of Conor McGregor, while Malignaggi is a rival of McGregor’s from his boxing match against Floyd Mayweather. Bare Knuckle FC has yet to book a fight between Malignaggi and Lobov.
Stevie Ray will face Leonardo Santos at UFC Fight Night 152 in Stockholm, Sweden on June 1st.
UFC’s YouTube page has uploaded the Israel Adesanya/Anderson Silva match from February in its entirety.
Ed in San Antonio presents the WRESTLEMANIAWeekend Event:
Saturday, April 6th, at 12:00 pm: Lunch (all you can eat) at Churrascaria Plataforma ($90 per person), located at 316 W. 49th street in Manhattan. Purchase tickets here~!
