Former UFC standout Paige VanZant is gearing up for her boxing debut against influencer Elle Brooke on the upcoming Misfits card scheduled for May 25.
VanZant, known as ’12 Gauge’, will step into the ring after a 33-month hiatus from competitive fighting, with her last bout being a loss to Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19 in July 2021. Her opponent, Elle Brooke, holds the Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight title with a record of four wins and one loss in influencer boxing.
Elle Brooke takes a swipe at Paige VanZant
Despite VanZant’s extensive combat experience, including 13 professional MMA fights and two bare-knuckle matches, Brooke isn’t mincing words in her commentary, taking a jab at VanZant’s transition from the UFC to face her in the ring.
Brooke’s comment on Misfitsboxing’s fight announcement post read,
“Her falloff needs to be studied. UFC to fighting me 😭”
The highly anticipated matchup is set to headline Misfits 15 at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas, with the bout streamed on DAZN. Fight fans eager to witness this clash can subscribe to DAZN via their website. Additionally, the undercard will feature a matchup between Le’Veon Bell and Tristan Hamm.
VanZant’s decision to forego a return to the UFC came after a successful stint in the promotion from 2014 to 2020. Since then, she has explored other avenues, competing in BKFC and venturing into professional wrestling with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Despite declining a new contract offer from the UFC, VanZant’s popularity has continued to grow, fueled in part by her presence on Onlyf*ns. In an interview with MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin, VanZant explained her decision, citing a desire for new challenges and opportunities to pursue her passions without constraints.
