BKFC welcomes Paige VanZant; previews BKFC 12
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is ready to really make a splash in 2020.
Today the promotion held a press conference from American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida to welcome in their biggest signing to date in superstar Paige VanZant, as well as to promote their upcoming BKFC 12 event on Sept. 11.
The press conference consisted of VanZant, promotion president David Feldman and fighters Thiago Alvez and Hector Lombard.
Ladies and Gentleman…give it up for Paige VanZant
“We’re so excited to have this latest addition to the Bare Knuckle family. We’re happy to officially announce the signing of former UFC superstar and now Bare Knuckle Fighting fighter, Paige VanZant.”
Those are the words that Bare Knuckle Fight Championship president David Feldman used to introduce the newest addition to the BKFC roster.
Earlier this month when it was announced that VanZant would sign with the promotion, many we’re shocked, but as for VanZant, she wasn’t surprised, especially after she got a call from an old friend in BKFC commentator Sean Wheelock.
“I knew there was going to be a few big players when I became a free agent,” VanZant said at the press conference. “I have a mutual friend Sean Wheelock, who works with BKFC and he gave me a call and said he wanted me to join BKFC full time so I looked at the organization and what they stood for. In my MMA career I was very accomplished and I was in the UFC for six years and now I feel now is the perfect time to open that next chapter. It’s not a move backward, it’s a move laterally and its a whole new obstacle for me and that’s what excites me.”
VanZant and her husband (Bellator fighter Austin Vanderford) just made the move to Florida to train at American Top Team and she is excited to work with ATT. While she is now at one of the greatest MMA gyms in the world, she no longer has to worry about wrestling or any short of ground game. Now she get’s to showcase her standup background.
“I’ve always considered myself a striker and that’s where my passion has been during whole career,” VanZant said. “With this I wake up everyday and I can’t wait to strike, I can’t wait to work with my coaches, I can’t wait to get better with striking. Aside from boxing, I have a Muay Thai background so I think that will go well with the clinch work here in BKFC and will be a huge advantage for me.”
Aside from that, VanZant is just ready to compete again.
“I’m really excited to be here and be apart of the Bare Knuckle family. This is where I felt the most passionate about and it completely lined up with what I wanted and what they wanted and we were really able to create a partnership. I can’t wait to get my first matchup and we’re already in talks about when that might be.”
BKFC 13
September will be a big month for BKFC as their BKFC 12 card will feature two big matchups.
MMA veteran Hector Lombard will face off against Kendall Grove and former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alvez makes his BKFC debut against Phil Baroni.
Lombard, who won his BKFC debut in February, wasn’t afraid to speak his mind on a number of topics during the press conference, including his upcoming fight.
“I feel great, Lombard said. “I’m going to pick him apart with body shots first and then make my way to his head.”
Alvez will be making his BKFC debut on that card and he’s happy to be apart of the organization.
“I’m excited to compete in this sport and in this badass organization,” Alvez said with a smile on his face. “I am really looking forward to getting in there and throwing knuckles. It’s going to be exciting.”
While BKFC is going to be different than what he’s used to, Alvez is embracing the opportunity and his upcoming fight.
“I feel I’m going to knock him the F out,” Alvez said when asked about his fight. “That’s the plan. I have two minutes and then a minute break before going another two minutes. It’s going to be an adjustment from fighting five minutes with a one minute break. But I’m excited for going out there and sprinting and getting a knockout.”
As for Alvez’s longterm vision, he hopes to accomplish big things at BKFC.
“I’m here to stay and I’m hoping to become a champion within this organization.”
