Paige VanZant Would Have to Earn Bellator Flyweight Title Shot Says Champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane

With her loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251, Paige VanZant seemingly brought her time in the UFC to a close.

The 26-year-old has struggled to really push on following a fast start to life in the octagon. In fact, after winning four of her first five fights in the UFC, VanZant has only won once since 2016. With her departure from the organisation, there's a lot of speculation on where she'll sign next. With rumours suggesting a potential move to Bare Knuckle FC is on the cards, the Bellator Flyweight champion, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane - speaking to MMA Junkie Radio - has weighed in on VanZant's next move.

“I think that she’s a smart girl, and she’s gonna go where, I think she’s going to bare-knuckle boxing,” she said. “I don’t know if I’m supposed to say that, but, yeah, I think that she should go where she’s going to be treated well and paid well.”

When asked about VanZant potentially signing with Bellator, Macfarlane admitted it would help gain eyes on the company, but was adamant the American wouldn't be given a title shot right off the bat and would, in fact, have to earn it.

“I think that she would bring really good publicity to our division. And you know, would I necessarily say that she should get a title shot right off the bat? Of course not. I don’t think so at all. But, like for future matches, yeah, I would totally welcome that.”

Regardless of whether she earned the shot or not, a fight with Macfarlane for Bellator's flyweight title would undoubtedly be a tough fight for VanZant. The champ is yet to lose in her MMA career and has defender her title four times so far.