After a year out of the UFC spotlight, Paige VanZant made a definitive return to the octagon in Brooklyn tonight, submitting opponent Rachel Ostovich by armbar in the second round. The submission was the final move in a match that showcased the young fighter’s solid grappling foundation.
Earlier in the match VanZant demonstrated confident transitions, throwing off takedown attempts and rolling into dominant positions:
The tap came as the clock wound down on Round 2:
It was an emotional finish to a flyweight fight that almost didn’t happen at all. In late 2018, Ostovich suffered severe injuries including a broken orbital in a savage domestic dispute with partner and fellow MMA fighter Arnold Berdon. Initial reports suggested that Ostovich would be forced to withdraw from UFC Brooklyn, but the TUF winner pushed through fight camp to face VanZandt anyway. (Berdon has since been arrested and will stand trial for felony assault this month.)
VanZandt has been away from the ring since her January 2018 loss to Jessica-Rose Clark. Her record now stands at 8-4-0.
