Paige VanZant Gets a New UFC Deal

The 21-year-old is being christened as an apparent heir to reigning UFC Women’s champion Ronda Rousey, though she does admit that she has a long way to go before she can fill in the shoes of the undefeated champion.

Hence before that, the climb continues for VanZant.

The American fighter drew a lot of attention when she scored her third win over Alex Chambers of Australia at UFC 191 last September 5, but it was her finishing maneuver that drew notice -- an armbar -- which many closely associate to Rousey, who has been famous for that finishing move.

But aside from that, VanZant possesses something more - using her extremities to the hilt. Aside from the submission move she did on Chambers, VanZant is also deadly on the offensive, armed with striking assaults that make her another dangerous opponent for the UFC Women’s division.

VanZant will once again get the chance to show her stuff on December 10, after Brent Okamoto of ESPN confirmed that the 21-year-old fighter will be facing Joanne Calderwood at a UFC Fight Night Event, which will be held inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan.

At the same time, VanZant has just inked a new pact with the UFC. Before the new deal, VanZant only had one fight remaining in her previous contract.

VanZant is currently ranked the no. 6 strawweight in the UFC. She is 6-1 in the MMA and 3-0 in the UFC.

“It feels amazing. I’m so blessed that the UFC thought of me to be the main event to start that weekend. It’s huge for me and I’m so, so excited,” the strawweight contender said via the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Aside from making waves in the UFC scene right now, VanZant’s success has obviously been booming. Other than her new contract, which many felt was forthcoming, VanZant also secured sponsorship from Reebok.

“Listen, people love that girl. She has a great personality - I don’t know if you saw the Instagram of her dancing out in front of her car. That’s awesome,” White said via UFC.com. “She has the personality. Some people have that 'it factor' that you can’t teach people, and Paige has it.”

So how does she feel heading into her tiff with Calderwood, who stands to be a dangerous and worthy adversary, considering she is also a striker who will get it on with VanZant in a standup battle?

“I think it’s a great matchup for me stylistically,” VanZant said. “It’s the one I asked for.”