#How Paige VanZant is embracing drastic new chapter after UFC exit

Paige VanZant has a million new reasons to do poolside backflips.

Days after agreeing to a four-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, worth more than $1 million, the former UFC star sat down Tuesday for her introductory press conference.

“This has been in talks ever since I was a free agent. This is kind of where I felt the most passionate about, and it completely lined up with what I wanted and what they wanted and we were really able to create a happy partnership,” VanZant said. “It’s a win-win for both of us.”

Ahead of her July loss to Amanda Ribas in UFC 251, the 26-year-old VanZant opened up wanting to test fighting free agency after gripes that she made more during her 2016 stint on “Dancing with the Stars” than she had in her UFC career.

“I just feel like a regular extension isn’t what I want, and I want to prove my worth and my value — and I want a brand-new contract,” VanZant told ESPN at the time.

Already looking forward to her first Bare Knuckles matchup, VanZant also addressed what the organizational shift means to her.

“Now I feel like it’s the perfect opportunity to open that next chapter, and it’s not necessarily a move backwards for me, it’s a move laterally, it’s a whole new obstacle,” the explained.

Currently settling into her new Coconut Creek, Florida, surroundings with husband Austin Vanderford, VanZant added how she’s also thought about her future beyond the ring.

“Commentating was already something we had spoken about, and that’s something I hope they open up the opportunity for me to do, and I just feel like I have a lot of talent outside of just fighting,” VanZant said.

“I know I’m very good at multi-tasking… I want to utilize the other skills that I have and that is TV, and camera work and I’m excited to do that, too.”

With over 2.7 million Instagram followers and counting, VanZant and Vanderford — a fellow MMA fighter — have kept fans entertained throughout the pandemic, thanks in part to their nude shoots around the house. Earlier this month, VanZant switched her content up by showing off her agility at the pool in bold bikinis.