Paige VanZant, the talented mixed martial artist known for her social media presence and fighting spirit, found herself at odds with UFC president Dana White. The rift emerged during her departure from the UFC in 2020. After a first-round loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251, White publicly criticized VanZant’s inconsistent performance and suggested she explore free agency.
Paige VanZant’s Disappointment
Paige VanZant, then 26 years old, felt blindsided by White’s comments. She expressed her frustration, not just with the criticism itself, but with the lack of direct communication. In her own words, “It’s unfortunate because I feel like I have a really good relationship with Dana. I feel like I thought we were closer friends and he could text me or call me. Something to have a little bit of compassion, something to communicate with me personally but maybe he will. We just don’t know. I’m sure it’s an uncomfortable situation”.
The Path Forward
Despite the disappointment, Paige VanZant’s departure from the UFC opened new doors. She signed a lucrative contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and ventured into boxing. Recently, she even entered the world of Power Slap, a controversial competition testing resilience to open-handed strikes. Her debut victory in Power Slap suggests that she’s as tough as ever.
Paige VanZant’s candid remarks remind us that even in the high-stakes world of combat sports, personal connections matter. Whether it’s a text or a call, communication can make all the difference.
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