Paige VanZant’s debut for new MMA promotion, GFL, is finally set, with the former UFC star set to throw down in Los Angeles.
Paige VanZant was once considered one of the UFC‘s biggest stars, going undefeated in the promotion after her first three fights.
She was touted to spearhead the next generation of UFC stars during her time with the promotion, however, she shockingly left in 2020 after suffering three losses from her last four fights.
Since her exit from the UFC, ’12 Gauge’ has gotten involved in several different combat sports, having competed in Misfits Boxing, BKFC, and even in Dana White’s Power Slap.
The 31-year-old did, however, return to the UFC recently as she cornered her husband, Austin Vanderford, for his debut in the promotion, stepping back into the UFC Octagon for the first time in five years.
Paige VanZant’s GFL debut announced for May 25
Following her stints in several other promotions outside of the UFC, VanZant was officially signed by a new MMA promotion, Global Fight League, earlier this year.
Along with VanZant, the GFL signed several other former UFC stars, including Tony Ferguson, Luke Rockhold, Chad Mendes, and more.
When the 31-year-old was officially signed to the promotion, she didn’t immediately have an opponent, although it seemed as though she would have her pick from a small pool of fighters.
Despite that, in a press release this Monday, the promotion announced that VanZant will take on Canadian fighter Randi Field at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on May 25.
Field is currently 5-1 as a professional fighter who most notably fought for Bellator, going 2-1 in the promotion.
VanZant’s GFL debut comes during two-day event launch
VanZant’s debut comes as part of a two-day event launch with several of the promotion’s stars set to compete a day before on May 24.
Urijah Faber and Renan Barao will clash for a third time when they lock horns on day one, with Anthony Pettis vs Benson Henderson also scheduled to go down on the event.
The aforementioned Mendes will also make his promotional debut on day one when he takes on Maike Linhares, a prospect fighting out of Brazil.
Following her shock exit from the UFC, Holly Holm also has her inaugural bout confirmed as she will take on Julia Budd.
On day two, the highly anticipated bout between Ferguson and Dillon Danis is set to go down, with the promotion labeling the fight as ‘the perfect lead-in’.
