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UFC 251: Dana White tells Paige VanZant to ‘test free agency’ after first-round loss to Amanda Ribas
- UFC president compares VanZant’s performance to that of heavyweight Curtis Blaydes, whom he called ‘stupid’
- VanZant releases statement after loss – ‘I can’t wait to see where God takes me next’
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Dana White said Paige VanZant should “definitely test free agency” after her first-round loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 on Sunday.
The 26-year-old American VanZant (8-5) – who had not fought since beating Rachael Ostovich via second-round armbar in January 2019 – struggled against Brazilian Ribas (10-1), tapping to a first-round armbar on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
“12 Gauge” VanZant had said in April that she was interested in a new contract with the UFC but was also willing to explore free agency. UFC president White clearly stated that he was ready to move on from one flyweight to the next.
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“I like Paige, but it’s like [Curtis] Blaydes talking all that stuff and fighting inconsistently,” White said at the post-fight press conference. The UFC president had previously lambasted “stupid” heavyweight Blaydes after his takedown-heavy win against Alexander Volkov last month.
“[VanZant fought] one time in the last year because of injuries, then got smoked in the first round of the fight. She should definitely test free agency,” added White of VanZant, who before the Ostovich fight had sat a year out after losing to Jessica-Rose Clark.
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