Former UFC star Paige VanZant explains why she signed for AEW over WWE

Paige VanZant had lots of options available to her after parting ways with the UFC in 2020.

The former MMA fighter, 28, says she had the chance – and a lucrative one at that – to sign with WWE two years ago as a free agent. It didn’t happen, though.

Instead, VanZant inked a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), before signing an additional deal with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on top of that as well last year.

In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport.com, VanZant said the flexibility was one of the main reasons behind her decision to sign a contract with AEW instead of WWE.

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She said: “They reached out to my manager but the timing wasn’t right for me.

“With the WWE, you’ll notice when somebody signs with them, they have to drop all their other organisations. They’re an exclusive organisation.

“So, you know, I was excited that AEW let me work with them and they let me do the other things that I want to do.

“I don’t have to completely stop being a bareknuckle boxer or a professional fighter or leave or retire from my sport.

“This is an awesome organisation to work with, they’ve been flexible with me knowing that I’m going to step away for a while while I prepare for my fight, and then come back and continue to be a part of their show.”

Despite our best efforts, VanZant however would not be pushed on a potential switch to WWE.

“I don’t know, I don’t really like to think about that,” she added when asked if it was something she would consider in the future.

“I just deal with the opportunities that are in front of me.

“I had the opportunity to sign with AEW and it was something that I just couldn’t turn down.”

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