Paige VanZant thought a move from strawweight to flyweight would help get her in the mix for a UFC title. Jessica-Rose Clark spoiled VanZant’s debut at 125 pounds when she defeated VanZant by unanimous decision in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 124.
VanZant valiantly fought with a broken arm throughout most of that contest. She sustained the injury when a spinning backfist connected with Clark’s head. VanZant had to undergo surgery in mid-January to repair the damage to the limb.
During surgery, VanZant had seven screws and a titanium plate implanted into her arm to stabilize the injury. She told TMZ that her arm is still not fully healed. VanZant also said it will be three months before she’ll be able to strike again with her right hand.
Well… I broke my arm in the first! I was able to finish the fight but as you can see, had a hard recovering and throwing my right. I’ll be back better and stronger than ever! it’s all apart of the fight game. God had other plans for me. darn spinning back fist. pic.twitter.com/v5DhSv5YxD
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) January 15, 2018
If there’s a positive to come out of the injury, it’s that VanZant has been able to work on developing her striking with her left hand.
As for her return date, VanZant said she is positive that she’ll be back inside the octagon in six months. As for who she’ll fight next, the 23-year-old pointed out that a number of fighters have called her out and that’s she plans on picking one of those fighters as her next opponent.
With the loss to Clark, VanZant is on a two-fight losing skid for the first time in her 11-fight MMA career. Her record in her four most recent bouts is 1-3.
