Paige VanZant shares struggle that has put her off potential MMA return: "I don’t know if I can push through that again"

Former UFC star Paige VanZant has cast doubt on a potential return to MMA. Though VanZant hasn't entirely closed the door on MMA, her years in combat sports have taken a toll on her body, leaving her hesitant to re-enter the sport that launched her into the spotlight.

In a recent interview, VanZant revealed that repeated injuries, especially breaking her arm five times and enduring two surgeries, have made her cautious about putting her health at risk again.

Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, '12 Gauge' said:

“I don’t ever like to say I’m closing the door 100 percent, but I do see it would be hard for me to go back into MMA, not because I don’t love it or not because I don’t have a passion for it still, but like I said, I broke my arm five times in my life and four times in basically two years of competing."

She added:

"I had two surgeries on it, and I still have a huge plate that runs the length of my entire forearm. So just going back to that place of risking breaking my arm again and having surgery again and getting set back, I can still have the thrill of competing, and I can still get that rush without putting my body at risk. One, I’m fine if I break my arm, it’s really just the mental fortitude, I don’t know if I can push through that again. It was a really, really rough few years.”

VanZant is now set for her second outing in Power Slap against Chelsea Dodson on Oct 24 in Abu Dhabi.

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A Look into Paige VanZant’s UFC Career

Starting her professional MMA journey in 2012, Paige VanZant entered the UFC in 2013 when the organization introduced its strawweight division. Despite missing out on The Ultimate Fighter due to her age, VanZant made an explosive UFC debut in 2014, defeating Kailin Curran and winning Fight of the Night honors.

Her star quickly rose, leading to a high-profile sponsorship deal with Reebok and victories over seasoned fighters like Felice Herrig and Alex Chambers. However, her UFC journey wasn't without setbacks. Losses to top contenders like Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson, alongside persistent injuries, hindered her momentum.

Despite a move to the flyweight division in 2017, she continued to struggle with injuries, eventually stepping away from the UFC in 2020 after a submission loss to Amanda Ribas.