Paige VanZant Rallies for Redemption: Demanding Rematch After Draw with TikTok Sensation Elle Brooke
Paige VanZant has broken her silence after her boxing debut almost went off the rails on Saturday night.
The former UFC star was favoured to beat Tik Tok star Elle Brooke in their Misfits Boxing headliner at the NRG Arena in Houston, Texas over the weekend. But her ring rust after three years out of competition saw her struggle early as she was dropped in the first by a massive right hand.
VanZant managed to come back into proceedings and win the later rounds as she used her extensive fighting background to take control of the ring. Now, the pair are expected to fight again in August on the undercard of a big pay-per-view event
Paige VanZant draws boxing debut after being dropped by Elle Brooke
After an awkward build-up in which VanZant refused to bite on her rival’s trash talk, the pair finally stepped into the ring on Saturday night. And while the American had a clear foothold on movement, it was Brooke who was the more aggressive in the early stages.
Certainly when it came to power it appeared that the Brit was landing the bigger shots, as the pair collided a couple of times before a right hook saw Brooke put down VanZant. She immediately got back up and continued, but struggled to find her footing through the end of the first and start of the second.
But eventually the American showed her experience a bit more and managed to take hold of proceedings, winning the final three. Both women seemed shocked by the result as it was read a draw, although the body language of Brooke showed more of a confidence before the decision was made.
Paige VanZant slams judges and demands rematch after boxing debut ends in a draw
After a relatively bland interview in the ring after the fight in which she claimed there was definitely a rematch happening, VanZant opened up a bit more in an Instagram video on Saturday night.
The American shared a post to her 3.2million followers with the caption: “Went home with a DRAW. Feels like a loss. It is what it is. Misfits Boxing let’s make it happen again ASAP!!!! Draws are BULLS***!”
In the video, VanZant said: “Obviously we didn’t get the results we predicted. I really thought that we did enough at the end. My whole team thought we did enough, I think a lot of people did.”
And it was after that when she finally got a bit more aggressive for the first time, adding: “The judging? A little bit nuts, but it looks like it sets up a perfect rematch. I just have to go on her turf and take her belt there. So I’ll see all of you guys in London.”
Bloody Elbow sources have indicated that the bout is being targeted for The O2 Arena on the undercard of a pay-per-view fight towards the end of August.
