Dana White had a dig at Paige VanZant after what could very well have been her final appearance inside the Octagon.
The 26-year old suffered a fourth defeat in her last six fights in the opening bout at UFC 251 on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi, tapping out to an ambar from Amanda Ribas just two minutes and 21 seconds into the first round.
Amanda Ribas kicked-off the first bout of the main event with a first round submission over Paige Vanzant #UFC251 pic.twitter.com/aSjbr642cX
- Nitrogen Sports (@NitrogenSports) July 12, 2020
It was the final bout on VanZant's current UFC contract and after she recently complained about her pay packet with the company, UFC president White did not mince his words.
Speaking in his post-fight press conference, White said: "I like Paige. It's like [Curtis] Blaydes when Blaydes fought. When you talk all that stuff, 'I'm not being paid enough,' and you're fighting inconsistently, one time in the last year, (suffering) injuries, and then got smoked in the first round of the fight?
"She should definitely test free agency."
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Having burst onto the scene as a 20-year old, winning her first three UFC fights, VanZant's popularity and marketability has soared.
Amassing 2.6 million Instagram followers, she's already talked about making more money from the social media app than she has for her fights.
VanZant has also modelled for both Sports Illustrated and Nike, as well as appearing in Dancing with the Stars - and will likely have plenty of other opportunities come her way if she decides to call time on her MMA career.
After her most recent loss, she took to Instagram to congratulate her opponent Ribas and pledged to "rise up".
She wrote: "Congrats to Amanda on such an amazing performance. It was truly an honor to share the Octagon with you. As for me, I will rise up as I always do. I can't wait to see where God takes me next. - PVZ"
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Topics: Paige VanZant, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 251, UFC, MMA, Dana White
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