Former UFC star Paige VanZant is set to step into the boxing ring against influencer Elle Brooke in a highly anticipated matchup on the upcoming Misfits card on May 25.
'12 Gauge' will make her gloved boxing debut after a 33-month hiatus from competitive fighting, with her last bout resulting in a loss to Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19 in July 2021. Her opponent, Elle Brooke, holds the title of Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight champion, with four wins and one loss in influencer boxing.
Despite VanZant's extensive combat experience with 13 professional MMA bouts and two bare-knuckle fights, Brooke isn't holding back in her commentary, taking a jab at VanZant's transition from the UFC to facing her in the ring.
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Commenting on the fight announcement post from Misfitsboxing, Brooke wrote:
“Her falloff needs to be studied. UFC to fighting me 😭”
Check out Elle Brooke's comment on Paige VanZant below:
The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to headline Misfits 15 at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas, with the bout set to be broadcast on DAZN. For fight fans who want to witness this unique matchup, subscriptions to DAZN can be found on their website.
Le’Veon Bell and Tristan Hamm will also square off on the undercard.
When Paige VanZant shed light on her decision to forgo a return to the UFC
Paige VanZant, who had a successful run in the UFC from 2014 to 2020, opted to pursue other ventures after leaving the UFC. Since then, she's competed in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and dabbled in professional wrestling with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Despite her hiatus from competition, VanZant's popularity has soared, largely due to her presence on Onlyf*ns. Interestingly, the UFC reportedly offered her a new contract, but VanZant ultimately declined.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting's Damon Martin, VanZant explained her reasoning:
"Me re-signing with the UFC would have been a safe choice but I also just wasn't happy anymore and it's not ill will towards UFC and I knew I needed something else. I just opened up my mind and my options so much to where I just get to do pretty much anything that I want to. I can spark a passion and I can say you know what I want to start a podcast, you know? I want to do this and then I just you know, attack it 100% I don't have anything holding me back."
Check out Paige VanZant's comments below (22:23):