Paige VanZant was asked a question. She answered it (rather playfully) and everyone freaked out.
VanZant, who typically fights at strawweight (115 pounds), told TMZ Sports earlier this week she’d fight Ronda Rousey, who usually fights at bantamweight (135 pounds), if the former UFC champion met her in the middle at 125 pounds. This created plenty of buzz on the internet, which VanZant addressed Thursday while fielding questions ahead of her fight Saturday against Michelle Waterson at UFC on FOX 22.
“It’s TMZ, they came up to me and asked me about that matchup and it’s like, how many times am I going to be asked that question before people realize we’re in far different weight classes?” VanZant told reporters at Thursday’s open workouts. “So, I tell people I want to fight her, and all of a sudden it’s like the news of the year.”
The “challenge” caused a stir because Rousey is one of the most popular fighters in UFC history and VanZant is an up-and-comer who’s becoming much more recognizable in the mainstream media. Also, the two have a little bit of a history, though VanZant downplayed harboring any ill will toward Rousey.
“I have nothing but love for Ronda, I really do, I really respect her for all that she’s done and I hope she has a successful return,” VanZant said of Rousey, who’s scheduled to face Amanda Nunes later this month at UFC 207 in her first fight since losing to Holly Holm at UFC 193 in November 2015.
So, is VanZant backing off her supposed challenge or would she still go toe to toe with Rousey if the opportunity knocked?
“I’m also in the business,” VanZant said. “I’ll fight anybody for the right amount of money.”
Well, that settles that.
