VanZant to meet Waterson in UFC Sacramento main event
Paige VanZant will get back at it in her adopted hometown.
On Wednesday night's broadcast of "UFC Tonight," UFC president Dana White announced VanZant will headline UFC on FOX 22 in a women's strawweight bout against Michelle Waterson on Dec. 17 in Sacramento. The promotion tweeted the news moments later.
VanZant, who trains in the California city, will look to further legitimize her mettle against "The Karate Hottie" after a December loss to Rose Namajunas and a run on "Dancing With the Stars" prompted questions regarding her dedication to the sport. "Twelve Gauge" put a dent in the chatter with her last outing at UFC on FOX 21, where she silenced Bec Rawlings with a switch-kick KO to improve her UFC record to 4-1.
Waterson, on the other hand, hasn't entered the Octagon in more than a year, but not for a lack of trying. She was scheduled to end her layoff against Aisling Daly at UFC Fight Night 93 in September until injuries forced both fighters off the card. The former Invicta FC atomweight champion won her sole UFC appearance in July 2015, submitting Angela Magana in the third round.
Also attached to the card is a welterweight bout between prospects Sage Northcutt and Mickey Gall.
The December event will be hosted at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.