Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3025677/ufc-stupid-paige-vanzant-challenged-better
Martial Arts/ Mixed Martial Arts

UFC: ‘Stupid’ Paige VanZant challenged by ‘better blonde’ Justine Kish after Instagram income claims

  • Veteran flyweight Justine Kish hits out after the 25-year-old claims she makes more money posing on Instagram than fighting in the UFC
  • ‘I can’t take it any more … there’s a better blonde in town who actually wants to fight’
Paige VanZant says she makes more money posting pictures on Instagram than fighting in the UFC. Photo: Instagram/@paigevanzant

Paige VanZant made waves after claiming last week she makes more money posing for pictures on Instagram than fighting in the UFC. Now’s she’s been challenged by a “better blonde” to step into the Octagon.

Veteran flyweight Justine Kish (6-2), who has two wins and two losses in the UFC after struggling with injuries, has hit out at “stupid” VanZant for her words on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.

Former Muay Thai champion Kish has not fought since losing a controversial decision to Kim Ki-yeon in 2018 but wants to throw down with the former Dancing with the Stars contestant.

“I can’t take it any more,” Kish wrote on Twitter. “Paige VanZant keeps acting like a super star but her actions lately prove that she’s just [a] stupid star. UFC match me up with this star.

“There’s a better blonde in town that actually wants to fight,” Kish said. “The star can choose strawweight, flyweight, heavyweight, I don’t care because I can make any weight for this to happen. Excuses be gone. Let’s fight Paige VanZant.”

UFC president Dana White seemed nonplussed about VanZant’s comments. The flyweight also demanded a significant raise to sign a new UFC deal. Her contract has one fight left.

“Yeah, good for her, that’s awesome,” White said. “If a fighter can make more money doing other things, good for her.”

VanZant has found mainstream fame with a stint on Dancing With the Stars in 2016, where she finished as runner-up. She has also written an autobiography and been featured in the 2019 edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

But the 25-year-old has had mixed success, going 5-3 in the UFC with an overall 8-4 record. She ended a two-fight losing skid with a second-round submission of Rachel Ostovich in January.