Paige VanZant finishes Bec Rawlings with headkick at UFC on FOX 21

Before moving ahead, there is that upcoming match with Rawlings set this weekend for UFC on Fox 21 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.

– As noted, WWE was interested in having UFC fighter Paige VanZant appear at SummerSlam, which she ultimately turned down.

VanZant’s manager later revealed his client was turning down all non-MMA work after DWTS to focus on making her next trip inside the Octagon (scheduled for tonight, August 27, on UFC on Fox 21) successful. VanZant was trying to keep the fight on the outside, and when Rawlings would come in, get the fight in the clinch and throw a knee. VanZant had her four-fight winning streak snapped in a women’s strawweight contender bout when she was pummeled for more than 20 minutes before Rose Namajunas mercifully choked her out midway through the fifth round.

R1: VanZant with two front kicks and Rawlings backs her off with a counter flurry after the second. They break away shortly.

ROUND 2: VanZant came out aggressive and immediately dropped Rawlings with a jumping switch kick right out of the gate.

Rawlings had moments of landing when she managed to close distance more regularly in the late stages of the opening round. Still staying on the outside, VanZant is looking composed, sticking to her game plan. Again, solid combination by VanZant.

“You learn a lot (from a fight like that)”, VanZant said. VanZant with a flying kick connects on Rawling’s jaw! As she battered her opponent with strikes from the top, the referee jumped in to stop the fight.