Why Paige VanZant vs. Rachel Ostovich will put BKFC on the map

Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich is exactly what BKFC needs.

The first professional bare-knuckle promotion of its kind in the United States, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), started with a ton of promise. but have found itself in an odd niche of late.

A bit too slow for even some of the most devout MMA fans and too “brutal” for boxing purists. They seem to be a ship without a rudder adrift in a sea of smaller combat sports promotions competing for limited attention.

Paige VanZant vs. Rachel Ostovich is exactly what BKFC needs to push themselves from odd offshoot that you watch when nothing else is on, to appointment viewing. The rematch of their explosive 2019 UFC bout which took place at UFC Brooklyn has set fans ablaze across social media and with good reason.

VanZant debuted with BKFC earlier this year with a disappointing loss to Britain Hart who has been with the promotion since their second event. A decisive victory over an opponent she has already faced and defeated in another promotion would be a great way to catapult herself up to the top of her division in her new home. Although her victory is anything but guaranteed.

Paige VanZant vs. Rachel Ostovich fought in the UFC in 2019

Even though VanZant won their 2019 encounter early in the second round with an armbar submission. Ostovich had impressed early with her striking ability, she was able to rock VanZant several times with hard strikes to the face. Even causing her to stumble once in the first round. VanZant would later go on to win the fight with an armbar submission early in the second round. With no submissions or takedowns allowed in BKFC, it stands to reason that Ostovich has a good chance of coming out on top in the rematch.

Whether Ostovich is able to get the job done this time or VanZant is able to get her feet under her and finally perform to the level her fans have come to expect doesn’t really matter in the long run. At least it shouldn’t to the promotion. These ladies and their past give the BKFC something that they have scrapped and clawed for since their inception and were only just beginning to see. They have a real and lasting mainstream pull. There will be more eyes on this card than almost any other in the history of BKFC and it is entirely thanks to Ostovich and VanZant. Anyone who says otherwise simply isn’t paying attention.