VanZant (8-5-0) has signed a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Former UFC star Paige VanZant joins Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/12/20

It appears former UFC star Paige VanZant won't be joining Bellator this summer, after all.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Ariel Helwani reported that VanZant (8-5-0) has signed a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship that could be worth over $1 million, total, and that also includes unmentioned incentives.

The 26-year-old teased the news to her 2.6 million Instagram followers:

View this post on Instagram

Contract Signed. About to change the game. Fight news coming soon. #bigbusiness

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) on Aug 12, 2020 at 12:00pm PDT

VanZant attracted a large following from her appearances on television programs such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "Chopped" and also via social media. However, she failed to develop into a main-event-caliber fighter during her UFC stint, which ended in July once her contract expired after a loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251.

VanZant dropped four of her final six UFC contests.

Before the bout versus Ribas, VanZant told Helwani why she was anticipating exploring free agency and a UFC exit:

“Everyone knows how much I make. I make $46,000 to fight. $46K (to fight) and $46K (if she wins). I’m not going to hide that, because everybody knows. I can make way more money than that just promoting brands on Instagram. And, you know, that should say something. Why would I step away from all the amazing success that I had on 'Dancing with the Stars?' I made more money on 'Dancing with the Stars' than I have in my entire UFC career combined. Every fight, every win, every bonus. And it just shows that the money is out there."

Welterweight Austin Vanderford, VanZant's husband, competes in Bellator.

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