In any sport, how an organization handles a young prospect is often the topic of conversation. Should they be brought along slowly, or should they be thrown into the deep end of the pool? There is almost always criticism regardless of the decision made of how to develop the young talent.
In the case of rising strawweight star Paige VanZant, the UFC has done a stellar job of moving her along.
VanZant was originally slated to be a cast member on the 20th season of The Ultimate Fighter, but she was too young for the show. After her only fight in Invicta FC, against top prospect Tecia Torres, there wasn’t much buzz surrounding her. VanZant got the call to debut against another youngster, undefeated Kailin Curran.
In most circles, the fight between VanZant and Curran was more about Curran. What we saw in their matchup was that VanZant had improved, in the 19-plus months between bouts, tenfold from her previous fight. It was a truly shocking performance in the complete dominance and relentlessness she showed.
Her reward? The UFC’s backing and a solo deal with Reebok prior to her second UFC fight.
The UFC did not go out and sign a low-level, unknown fighter for VanZant’s next opponent. They put her on the main card on Fox, and against a top-10 opponent in Felice Herrig. Herrig had the ranking and some marketability to her but ultimately was not a polished fighter herself. It was a favorable matchup—one that VanZant would win without much issue.
UFC 191 would be VanZant’s next fight. The UFC could have put her into a contender’s fight now that VanZant was ranked in the top 10 and coming off a win over Herrig on a big platform. But the UFC instead placed her against Alex Chambers.
VanZant was clearly not ready for the upper echelon of this division. The UFC found a fighter coming off a win of her own and placed VanZant in a position to succeed. UFC commentator Joe Rogan continually remarked during the bout of how VanZant was not yet ready for someone like champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
It is pure speculation, but whether that was a directive whispered into Rogan’s earpiece or just something off-the-cuff he said, it helped their cause. Rogan’s words helped temper the expectations of the larger audience who only sees a top-10 fighter on a three-fight win streak. Rogan’s words put VanZant’s place into perspective as a prospect.
Following the win, however, the UFC was in a tough spot in deciding how to book VanZant. Diving back into the pool of unranked fighters was a possibility but not indicative of where VanZant stood within the division. Thrusting her into the deep end alongside top contenders would be seen as premature. Instead, the UFC went with No. 8-ranked Joanne Calderwood and a UFC Fight Night main event on UFC Fight Pass.
Absolutely brilliant.
Calderwood was another prospect from Invicta FC, but her UFC career had not gone quite as smoothly. She was defeated on The Ultimate Fighter and upset by Maryna Moroz. Calderwood’s status as a top prospect cooled once she stepped inside the Octagon. She clearly had not improved by the leaps and bounds than VanZant had. She has looked lethargic inside the cage at times, and if that happens against VanZant, she will catch a beating.
Everything about this matchup is perfect for the UFC.
It is a stylistic matchup that will challenge both women where they are weakest but ultimately tilts slightly in favor of the prospect they are more invested in. Making this fight a main event means it is five rounds, and VanZant’s pace, pressure and wrestling is a significant advantage. She is being placed in a position to succeed while having to continue to address holes in her game.
Should she lose? Only hardcore fans, subscribers of UFC Fight Pass, will see it. The UFC will limit the damage to one of their rising stars by limiting the eyes who will see the fight. If she wins? The UFC has two fight cards in the two following days where they can show highlights and talk up her performance.
VanZant’s fight performances and standing in the division put the UFC in a tough spot of having to give her a top-10 fight. They chose the perfect opponent and the perfect platform for it to happen on.
It’s not always possible for the UFC to do this, and sometimes they fail in doing it with other prospects. But in the case of Paige VanZant, the UFC has yet to miss the mark. They should be commended for trying to build another star for their brand by making all the right moves.
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