Paige VanZant is set to make her MMA comeback in 2025.
The former UFC prospect has announced she’ll return to the cage under the banner of the newly former Global Fight League (GFL).
VanZant debuted for the UFC in 2014, quickly rising through the ranks with three straight wins as she targeted a shot at the women’s strawweight title.
However, her momentum in Dana White’s promotion was halted by losses to Rose Namajunas — who became a UFC champion — and Michelle Waterson-Gomez.
‘12 Gauge’ wound up losing three of her last four fights in the UFC, with a first-round submission defeat to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in 2020 ultimately marking the end of her run in MMA’s biggest league.
Now, the 30-year-old from Oregon is ready to return to MMA, calling the GFL the ‘perfect opportunity’ to stage her comeback.
“I think that I’m stepping back into the world of MMA,” she said on her podcast with husband Austin Vanderford, who is also an MMA fighter.
“They [GFL] offered me a contract and I said: ‘Yes’. So, I’m going back to MMA.
“I think this is the perfect opportunity because I definitely didn’t leave MMA because I wasn’t passionate about it anymore.”
VanZant revealed that she was in Abu Dhabi when one of her coaches first mentioned the GFL, which prompted her to look into the organisation.
GFL is a brand-new MMA promotion launching in 2025 that will feature six teams across four continents, with venues booked in 10 cities worldwide.
Each team will consist of 20 fighters across 10 weight classes, a unique feature of the GFL, as all bouts will reportedly operate under a catchweight system.
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and other ex-UFC stars such as Fabricio Werdum, Anthony Pettis, Luke Rockhold, Ovince Saint Preux and Alexander Gustafsson have all been announced as GFL fighters.
“When I became a free agent outside of the UFC the biggest offer that came in was bare-knuckle boxing,” VanZant added.
“They presented the best offer to me. It was exciting, new and definitely sparked my interest…I absolutely loved it.
“Now there’s this new MMA organization that actually made me really excited to fight for them. The way they are doing it, they are legit paying their athletes.
“Everyone that I’ve heard that has negotiated their contracts so far is extremely excited and happy.
“I also saw, which I don’t know the logistics of behind the scenes. They’re doing a pension fund for the fighters, and I think health insurance…
“You just never know when it’s over, so I wanna do everything I can to make the most money while I can, get the most opportunities and be able to provide for my family forever.”
It hasn’t been all so doom and gloom for VanZant since leaving the UFC, as she’s found new opportunities across various combat sports, including professional wrestling and influencer boxing.
After the UFC, VanZant joined Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) before signing with wrestling promotion AEW.
She then made her return to boxing under KSI’s Misfits promotion, where she drew her one and only fight against influencer Elle Brooke.
‘12 Gauge’ then joined forces with UFC’s sister company, Power Slap, and is now poised to return to the sport that first made her a household name.
“I need to be in the gym harder and stronger than ever,” VanZant added.
“I’m changing gears again. I’m going to shock the world again…
“I’m lucky I’m in such a good position that I do get a lot of opportunities that I get to wade through and pick what kind of sparks my interest the most and what’s the most exciting.”
VanZant went on to add that she is set for her third—and potentially final—Power Slap fight in March or April, before she embarks on her new endeavors with the GFL.
“Launching in 2025, the Global Fight League seeks to redefine the business model and enhance competition in mixed martial arts,” GFL founder Darren Owen said on The Ariel Helwani show.
“Athletes and coaches will be part of an incentive and revenue sharing plan based on league success, while competing for glory and engaging with fans in cities around the world.
“The GFL will reimagine the business of combat sports for the 21st century.”