In news first reported by ESPN, Paige VanZant's octagon return has been delayed.
Though she fractured her arm in January, VanZant was told that surgery wouldn't be required before last week, finding out that the bone hasn't properly healed. VanZant explained the situation to ESPN, "I actually sparred last month and was doing strength and conditioning. I wanted to be on the UFC card on July 20 in Texas, but my chiropractor wanted me to get my arm checked out again before accepting a fight. I saw a surgeon who works with the Portland Trail Blazers, and he told me, 'Yes, you 100 percent need surgery.'"
VanZant first broke her right arm during a January 2018 fight with Jessica-Rose Clark. That resulted in two surgeries, frustrating VanZant and even forcing her to briefly consider retirement. After experiencing that though, the Women's Flyweight contender is more ready than ever to get this process underway. "After the second surgery, I said, 'If I break my arm again, I'm quitting. I'm just not meant to fight. But now that I've done it again, I'm at a point where it's like, 'No. I just don't give a s--- anymore. My stupid arm is not going to stop me.' I need one more surgery, and I'm going to be fine."
The surgery is scheduled for June 13th and is expected to sideline VanZant for approximately three months. When that eventual fight comes to fruition, it'll be the final bout on VanZant's current contract. Considering that, VanZant is fully aware of it's obvious importance. "I want to be moving forward off two wins and be able to say, 'This is how good I am.' I want them to see that. Not just fans, even the UFC, they can move on quickly to the next star. I want to remind them I'm a star. I have one fight left. I'm going to have this surgery and get that fight over with."
