Paige VanZant Joins Power Slap

Paige VanZant has signed a deal with Power Slap, as she will maker her debut on June 28.

VanZant will face Christine Wolmarans from the Fontainebleau Hotel and Casinohas. She has competed in various combat sports organizations. She took part in the UFC from 2014 until 2020. She lost three out of her last four fights, losing to Amanda Ribas in her last fight at UFC 251. After that, she signed a deal with BKFC. She had two fights in the organization against Rachel Ostovich and Britain Hart. However, the fights did not end well as she lost in both bouts. VanZant recently signed a deal with Misfits to box Elle Brooke. The fight ended in a draw, as VanZant said she would have a rematch immediately. 

“Obviously we didn’t get the results we predicted [on Saturday]. I really thought that we did enough at the end. My whole team thought we did enough, I think a lot of people did. The judging, a little bit nuts, but it looks like it sets up a perfect rematch. I just have to go on her turf and take her belt there. So I’ll see all of you guys in London,” VanZant said 

“Just want the rematch. I don’t really care about her as a person [laughs]. She’s a nice; I respect her as a fighter but she’s not my mate. I don’t know, yeah. It is what it is,” Brooke stated

Power Slap

While that may be the case, it appears VanZant has signed a deal with Power Slap.

“James Lynch reported that he’d heard a rumor that Paige VanZant had signed with Power Slap. I have also heard those rumors from numerous people. Announcement is expected soon I’m hearing,” Amy Kaplan tweeted

Nevertheless, the move to Power Slap could backfire for the following reasons. If VanZant suffers serious damage and ends up losing, it will damage the calls for a rematch with Brooke if it happens before the boxing rematch. A move to Power Slap also does nothing for VanZant to prepare her for Brooke. There was a perception that VanZant had gotten lucky, with some feeling that Brooke had done enough to win.

Brooke dropped VanZant with a solid right hand at the highlight of the fight. VanZant also has no experience in Power Slap. Unlike MMA, which includes boxing elements, Power Slap is a completely different sport. There are also concerns about the dangers of Power Slap, with many expressing concern over the sport. 

Concerns

“I was shocked initially when I saw it, and even more shocked when I saw it more regularly and becoming mainstream, but I really think this is the intent of the organisers. As someone who has devoted their life to studying the brain and brain injury I feel compelled to educate people as to how brain injuries can impact a lifetime. The chance of getting multiple concussions back-to-back is high – back-to-back concussions can have compounding effects. 

“Also ruptured eardrums, broken jaws etc are common. As a ‘brain guy’ I am not fully informed about how laws apply, but I do feel that if contestants are being incentivised to do this, and long-term disability like CTE arise there will be an obvious need to support these people long term. Ultimately I think [boxing promoter and TV producer] Lou Di Bella said it best by calling this ‘organised brain damage,” neuroscientist,” Dustin Hines said

Comments

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.