Is Paige VanZant Leaving UFC For Bellator Or Rizin?
Is Paige VanZant Leaving UFC For Bellator Or Rizin?
Is Paige VanZant Leaving UFC For Bellator Or Rizin?
Is Paige Van VanZant leaving the UFC for Bellator or Rizin?
That is the question on the minds of MMA fans all over the world after the popular fighter’s surprising interview on Ariel Helwani’s MMA podcast.
VanZant, 25, indicated during an in-studio appearance on the show that she is preparing to fight out the remaining bout on her UFC contract and then explore free agency.
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The young flyweight noted during the interview that she believes she deserves way more money than what she is currently making from the UFC, and hopes her next contract reflects that.
“I make way more money sitting at home, posting pictures on Instagram, than I do fighting,” she told Helwani.
VanZant added that the tactics used against her in negotiations for her prior contract would not work this time around.
Related: Nate Diaz Career Earnings In UFC
“When I did my contract negotiation the last time, the talk was, “I can’t pay you more than a female champion.’ Okay, but why are comparing me to just women? All of us should be getting paid more in general,” she said.
One of the biggest stars of the UFC needs to make more money, as told to @arielhelwani on today’s show…
LISTEN: https://t.co/6tJ3sAwOvl pic.twitter.com/DW8QqU43yz
— ESPN Podcasts (@espnpodcasts) August 27, 2019
Regardless of how the UFC feels about it, VanZant is not backing down from her desire for a more lucrative deal.
Related: Jorge Masvidal Career Earnings In UFC And Strikeforce
“I want a significant pay raise, to be completely honest. I’ve just been extremely accomplished outside of the UFC, as well as inside of the UFC. Five wins in the UFC, four finishes, I’ve been main event twice, and I think someone with those accolades should be paid more,” she told Helwani.
“I make way more money sitting at home, posting pictures on Instagram, than I do fighting.”@paigevanzant says her endorsement earnings greatly outpace her fight earnings (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/dpdANFcbxU
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 26, 2019
The obvious question now becomes: what happens if the UFC doesn’t budge?
Dana White and Co. are famously tough negotiators, and they absolutely despise people demanding more money than what they deem them worthy of.
If the UFC does not step up and offer VanZant more money? Could she really take her talents to Bellator or Rizin?
We should find out soon enough.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
Shed get murdered in Rizin.
Bellator will probably throw some money at her and some favorabl3 match ups. Would be a good career move for her cuz she’s will never win in the ufc.
Sh3 can’t fight top level talent. Rose murked her. Karate hottie murked her. Shes just not that good….