Paige VanZant plotting MMA comeback this year to get redemption after finishing UFC contract with devastating defeat
PAIGE VANZANT wants to return to the cage before the year is out despite her devastating defeat to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 on Fight Island.
It marked her final fight in her UFC deal and even promoter Dana White urged the American to test out different promotions.
Now the 26-year-old has revealed she will postpone surgery on her arm to sign a deal to return to action.
But whether that will be with UFC or a rival organisation remains to be seen.
VanZant told : "I’m hoping to sign a new fight promotion with somebody and fight this year if I can.
“I want to fight as soon as possible. In my mind, I’m going to go ahead and delete that last fight and start over.
"I don’t know how long this negotiation stuff goes.
“I’m hoping quick, cause I definitely don’t have any injuries. I don’t even know if I got hit, so I’m ready to fight again."
Brazilian Ribas dominated from start to finish, scoring a first round submission win, securing an arm bar after great work on the ground.
After the defeat, UFC chief Dana White took a cheeky dig at her after as she claimed she makes more money from Instagram than fighting.
Speaking about ending her UFC contract with a defeat, VanZant added: “I’m sad about the way it went.
"For the first time in my life, I finally realized the losses definitely don’t define you.
“Maybe I did have to hit rock bottom. It’s just going to make my comeback story that much greater coming off a loss and an arm injury.
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"And I have ten-plus years to fight and show off how good I am.”
Bellator promoter Scott Coker revealed he is interested in signing VanZant.
And the stunning fighter hasn't completely ruled out staying with the UFC.
