Former UFC star Paige VanZant has confirmed that she has no plans to fight for the promotion again in the future.

Ever since her debut back in late 2014, Paige VanZant was pinpointed as one to watch in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Between her look, age and unique fighting ability, ‘12 Gauge’ vaulted herself into a position of real stardom - with an appearance on Dancing With The Stars certainly helping her along.

However, after going 1-3 in her final four-fight stretch with the UFC, she left for pastures new.

Many have questioned whether or not she’d return to the UFC, or mixed martial arts in general, but in a recent interview with MMA Fighting she made it clear that a comeback isn’t on the cards.

“I could retire tomorrow and be financially free, and my kids would be pretty close to being financially free,” VanZant said.

“Of course, I love the UFC,” VanZant said. “I love the organization. There’s a reason they are as successful as they are. There’s a reason they were able to get to this level. They have a well-oiled machine and they’re very, very good at it.

“But I know in my heart that I will never fight for them again, just because they don’t pay enough. I don’t see the benefit of going back to the UFC. Right now, I’m fortunate enough, I built myself up to a specific place and I can take that and use it wherever I go.”

Where is VanZant now?

In addition to her fan website, VanZant competes in bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC and has recently signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling. The move comes after she made a handful of appearances for the company alongside American Top Team.

The venture into the squared circle is something she’s teased for a long time with the masses expecting WWE to be the ones who picked her up. 

Alas, AEW has been able to strike while the iron is hot as she continues to evolve in her new role.

Given that her partner Austin Vanderford is a high-level MMA fighter in Bellator, there’s definitely a ‘never say never’ element to this story.