Paige VanZant loses Bare Knuckle debut via decision

Paige VanZant makes her Bare Knuckle debut at KnuckleMania.

Paige VanZant made her long-awaited Bare Knuckle Fighting debut in the main event of KnuckleMania. Unfortunately, she walked away with her first loss, as well. VanZant faced off against the experienced Britain Hart. Following Hart’s decision win, an unnamed competitor entered the ring and threw a beer into her face before being chased from the ring by Harts’s team.

VanZant came in with something to prove

VanZant came into BKFC with a chip on her shoulder and something to prove following her less than impressive exit from the UFC. Her opponent Hart, on the other hand, wanted to prove to VanZant that she was now entering into her world of boxing … bare-knuckle or otherwise. She looked to make her uncomfortable early and force VanZant back onto her heels.

The fight started rapidly and maintained an insanely high pace through five rounds. The fight was left to the judge’s discretion after the completion of the fifth and final round.

VanZant seemed confident and comfortable in the ring, going punch for punch with the more experienced Hart and doing her best to stay in her face throughout the entire fight.

The pair clinched early and often letting their fists fly showing fans watching in the arena and around the world that there was no love lost between the two competitors. with a total of 296 strikes thrown between the pair of them and 117 landings.

Hart came away victorious with a unanimous decision after a long and grueling fight.

VanZant’s BKFC career kicks off with a 0-1 record. Hart’s record moves to 2-2 and 5-4-3 overall. The former UFC flyweight competitor signed a four-fight deal with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after her loss at UFC 251 to Amanda Ribas. She finished her time with the UFC with a pro-MMA record of 8-5.