Paige VanZant updates on injury, gives timeframe for return

In her last outing, a decision loss to Australia’s Jessica-Rose Clark, Paige VanZant suffered a broken arm – and remarkably fought through it. Despite her remarkable toughness, this injury has unsurprisingly kept VanZant on sidelines since. And from the sounds if it, it’ll be awhile before she gets back into the cage.

Speaking with TMZ this week, VanZant updated on the state of her arm injury, and gave a rough timeline for her return.

“I have a plate and seven screws in there – it’s still broken,” VanZant told TMZ (h/t MMAJunkie.com). “Three months until I’m back punching with my right hand. Six months – I know I’ll have a fight in six months, and that’s guaranteed. I’m working with the UFC. I’m keeping myself in amazing shape, so all it is is working on my right.”

Though it could be some time before VanZant gets back in there, she’s excited to do so, and still has her eyes on the UFC women’s flyweight title.

“I’m really excited to get back in there. I’m staying in good shape, and I’m going to be knocking people out. I feel like I’m still in that title contention spot in the 125 division. I know everybody calls me out, so we’ll just pick somebody from the list and take ’em out.”

Prior to her loss to Clark, VanZant succumbed to a first round submission applied by Michelle Waterson. This loss was preceded by a 2016 knockout of the year contender, in which she snuffed Bec Rawlings with a flying switch kick.

Who do you want to see Paige VanZant fight when she’s healthy enough to return to the cage? Join the conversation in the comments section.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/8/2018.