Paige VanZant is open to fighting Ronda Rousey
During an interview with TMZ, Paige VanZant was asked if she would be willing to face former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. VanZant replied, “Hey, if she wants to meet me at 125.” “I would consider going up to 125, it’s not that big of a weight gain for me.” Rousey has competed as high as 155 lbs in the past so it’s unsure if she could make the cut to 115.
VanZant is currently ranked #8 in the strawweight division (115 lbs), and Rousey is ranked #2 at bantamweight (135 lbs). Since they are two weight classes apart, VanZant would feel comfortable meeting in the middle at flyweight (125 lbs). The UFC doesn’t officially have a women’s flyweight division yet and just recently had their first women’s flyweight fight.
VanZant and Rousey have had a run-in with each other in the past. When Holly Holm beat Rousey at UFC 193, VanZant congratulated Holm. Rousey didn’t appreciate that and ended up confronting VanZant at a photo shoot for Reebok.
Rousey hasn’t fought since her loss to Holm in 2015, but she is scheduled to return at UFC 207 on December 30 to face Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight championship. VanZant doesn’t believe the long layoff will be a problem for Rousey. VanZant said, “I don’t believe in ring rust, I believe it’s 100% mental, if she’s 100% mentally focused on that night then she is going to win it.” Despite their beef, VanZant is picking Rousey to beat Nunes by armbar.
VanZant also has a fight lined up. She is scheduled to face Michelle Waterson in the main event at UFC on Fox 22 on December 17.
VanZant and Rousey are 2 of the biggest stars in women’s MMA. If they could come to an agreement and meet in the cage, it would be a perfect fight to kick off the women’s flyweight division.
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