Paige VanZant issues statement on latest arm injury, targeting May return

An arm injury has already hindered Paige VanZant’s year, but she’s already making plans to return to action.

It was reported earlier this week that VanZant had been forced out of a bout opposite Amanda Ribas that had been scheduled for UFC Brasilia on March 14. The culprit was the right arm that the 25-year-old has already had worked on in three separate surgeries over the last two years.

On Friday, the 25-year-old posted a statement to Instagram showing off a new cast and providing an update on when she expects to return.

“Yes, I fractured my arm again,” VanZant wrote. “No, this isn’t the end of my story. This is a very small fracture and will only take six-to-eight weeks to heal. My doctor said I will be back ready to take a fight in May.

“This is the second time I broke through a screw hole where my plate in my arm is, third break in a third spot. I know I need to adjust my training now that I have a permanent plate and screws in there. I will make those adjustments and I will return successfully just as I have before.”

VanZant initially injured her arm in a three-round unanimous decision loss to Jessica-Rose Clark in January 2018. A year later, “PVZ” returned with a submission win over Rachael Ostovich, which would turn out to be her lone appearance of 2019. VanZant has made it known that her next fight will be the last of her current UFC contract.

See her full statement below:

You know that Japanese proverb “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Well my story is break your arm three times, keep fighting four. Anyone could choose to give up here, it would be the easiest thing to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength. Yes I fractured my arm again. No this isn’t the end of my story. This is a very small fracture and will only take 6-8 weeks to heal. My Dr. said I will be back ready to take a fight in May. This is the second time I broke through a screw hole where my plate in my arm is, third break in a third spot. I know I need to adjust my training now that I have a permanent plate and screws in there. I will make those adjustments and I will return successfully just as I have before. I am not going anywhere, I am only 25 years old and I am a gangster fighter. I will be making my UFC return in May. God just wanted me to have a little more patience. Send me some good vibes #fanzants I could use some love