After seven years and nine fights under the UFC banner, Paige VanZant walked away from the promotion in pursuit of happiness and financial freedom.
Stepping inside the Octagon for the final time at UFC 251, ’12 Gauge’ suffered a first-round submission loss at the hands of Amanda Ribas. Despite her middling 5-4 record, the promotion was determined to retain her services. After hitting free agency, the UFC made an offer to keep her on board, but VanZant decided to take a chance on herself and walked away, feeling it was time to try something else on for size.