Dana White says Paige VanZant “Should definitely test free agency”
Dana White made it quite clear what he thought of Paige VanZant following UFC 251 on Saturday, June 11.
Her first-round-submission defeat to Amanda Ribas marked the last fight of her current UFC contract. In the post-fight press conference, White told the media what he suggests VanZant should do next.
“I like Paige,” White said. “I like Paige. It’s like (Curtis) Blaydes – when Blaydes fought. When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not getting paid enough,’ and (you’re) fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year (because of injuries), and then get smoked in the first round of the fight, she should definitely test free agency.”
Entering free agency is something VanZant was open about before competing on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. Back in April, Van Zant said she planned to fulfill her current UFC contract and undergo another arm surgery afterwards.
VanZant drops to 1-3 in her last four octagon appearances. Her last UFC victory is a second-round arm-bar against Rachel Ostovich at UFC on EPSN+ 1 in January 2019.
She made her UFC debut back in November 2014 and is now 5-4 with the promotion. She got off to a quick start in the UFC with three-straight wins over Kailin Curran, Felice Herrig and Alex Chambers.
If she listens to White, Paige VanZant will explore her options.
Her husband, Austin Vanderford is currently an unbeaten middleweight for Bellator MMA. VanZant expressed her anticipation of being free agent at the UFC 251 pre-fight presser
“I’m excited. I’ve never been in this position ever, so I think it’s an important position for me to be in,” VanZant said. “You don’t really know your value until somebody else tells you what it is, and it’s the option of multiple people that say what they think my value is. So I’m going to gain a lot of knowledge.”
