After signing a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships in August 2020, former UFC star Paige VanZant will debut on the company’s Knucklemania show on Feb. 5.
VanZant, 30, made headlines after a bidding war broke out after she was released by the UFC in July 2020. She will face Britain Hart, 30, who debuted in 2018.
What’s the weight??? Reps of 5. Getting my strength up for my upcoming @bareknucklefc fight in February!!! pic.twitter.com/EaKuBxifQ7
— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) December 12, 2020
Hart has drifted back and forth from conventional boxing and is coming off a stoppage win after dropping her first two BKFC bouts.
Hart will undoubtedly be looking to spoil VanZant’s debut.
The co-main event will feature lightweight champion Johnny Bedford, 38, who will defend his 135-pound belt against Vietnamese challenger Dat Nugyen, 38.
The fight was originally scheduled for BKFC 14 in November 2020, when an injury to Bedford scrapped it.
Meanwhile, Chris Leben, 40, is a TUF 1 semi-finalist who last competed in the UFC in 2013. He became a referee, qualified to officiate bouts in California.
Anyone make a 6” body bag? I’m about to put this dude in it. LEBEN vs HENRY Feb 5th, BKFC super bowl weekend 👊🏻 @bareknucklefc pic.twitter.com/EurtJfetgg
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) December 30, 2020
Leben is 2-1-0 in BKFC, will take on Quentin Henry in what is being billed as a retirement fight.
Henry, 31, is undefeated in two BKFC bouts and is a former MMA fighter.
Sent Him Spinning! #BKFC15 pic.twitter.com/mGUfpQmaXU
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) December 12, 2020
BKFC 16: VanZant vs Hart is available for $19.99 USD on live stream on FITE and is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Fans can also purchase BKFC 16 tickets, which range from, $55 USD to $350 USD. More information can be found on the company website.
More bouts are expected to be announced.
