PAIGE VANZANT has claimed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship pays her TEN times more than what she earned in the UFC.
The former UFC strawweight shocked the combat sports world last in 2020 by penning a multi-fight, multi-million-pound contract with BKFC.
VanZant has lost her first two fights – first against Britain Hart in 2021 and then against Rachael Ostovich months later – both by unanimous decision/
Speaking after the fiery weigh-ins for Bare Knuckle FC's KnuckleMania before that Hart fight, the American Top Team star: “I’m here for a reason.
“I was in the UFC for six years getting paid $40,000 (to show) and $40,000 (to win), and now I’m getting ten times that doing what I love.
"So obviously, I’m not going anywhere. I’m very happy fighting here and I’m excited to fight.”
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Before her final UFC fight with Amanda Ribas, which she lost via first-round submission, VanZant claimed she made more money on Instagram than she did fighting in the octagon.
That drew the ire of UFC chief Dana White, who fired a parting shot at her during the UFC 251 post-fight press conference.
He said: "When you talk all that stuff, ‘I’m not being paid enough,’ and you’re fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, (suffering) injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight?
"She should definitely test free agency."
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Despite being tied down to a long-term deal with BKFC, VanZant hasn't completely closed the door on a return to mixed martial arts.
She told TMZ: “BKFC, they did give me the liberty in my contract to be able to take an MMA fight.
"I was informed of that by my manager, and I didn’t know that at first. At first, I was like, ‘No, I just want to do the boxing.’
"But I think that coming to American Top Team, it re-birthed my excitement and I now realise how good I am.
“I’m training with these coaches who believe in me. Having them say they believe in me, and they train some of the best fighters in the entire world, and they look at me and they believe that I’m good.
“So that kinda sparked that passion all over the place. So yeah, maybe I will take an MMA fight.
"I’m strictly focused on the boxing right now, especially for this fight. That’s all I do. But, maybe. Let’s see. The door is open, so it’s definitely there.”
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