PAIGE VANZANT SHOWED no signs of rust on her return to the Octagon last night.
The 22-year-old reminded the world of her talent with a second-round knockout of strawweight rival Bec Rawlings at UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver, Canada.
VanZant took an eight-month break from the sport after suffering a crushing defeat to Rose Namajunas last December. After an impressive appearance on Dancing with the Stars, where she finished as runner-up, the former ballet dancer returned in style.
VanZant’s knockout, a jumping switch kick, looked like a move she might have practiced on the dancefloor. It was swift, elegant and timed to perfection. The blow left Rawlings on the canvas and VanZant finished the fight seconds later.
Ladies and Gentleman… Paige VanZant! @PaigeVanzantUFC #UFCVancouver pic.twitter.com/Zj63WpDGeu
“Going into the fight, I knew that she might have superior boxing to me and that’s something I wanted to work on, not closing the distance and trying to rush her because she would have a really strong right hand,” VanZant (7-2) told Fox Sports after the fight.
“I felt her out and got the finish in the second. These are things I’ve always been capable of but I’ve never actually used. I feel I’m maturing as a fighter and listening to my corner.
“I heard them say, ‘left kick, left kick, left kick’ and I finally decided it was open.”
VanZant’s star power will continue to rise after this victory. Hollywood will no doubt start whispering in her ear and throw more opportunities and money her way.
Elsewhere Demian Maia made quick work of Carlos Condit in the main event of the night, submitting his opponent with a rear-naked choke. Anthony Pettis defeated Charles Oliveira thanks to a third-round submission, while Jim Miller beat Joe Lauzon via a split decision.
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