Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Paige VanZant vs Kailin Curran

Here's the video of Paige VanZant vs Kailin Curran from last night's UFC show in Austin, TX. The fight was on UFC Fight Pass so a lot of fans missed it and it was Fight of the Night so I know you want to see it. Paige was one of the Invicta contracts Zuffa purchased to stock The Ultimate Fighter 20. But Paige was too young to be on the show. Kailin is from Hawaii and has fought a couple of times for PXC in Guam. Both fighters lack experience. This fight was originally set for the Halifax UFC show in October. But Paige was recovering from a back injury so the fight was delayed for six weeks. The other thing is for the last couple of years, Paige trained at Team Alpha Male in California. Urijah Faber said he hadn't seen Paige recently. It turns out she moved back to her home town of Reno, NV and switched to Reno Academy of Combat. You know who else trains there? Amateur female fighter Taylor Stratford. In Paige's corner was RAC owner and former heavyweight fighter Rick Collup and Bellator fighter Hector Ramirez. Maybe Paige needed a change and sleeping in your own bed at home can be very reassuring for a young fighter. The first round was very close. Kailin got a couple of takedowns and though Paige defended well and came back late in the round. I scored it 10-9 for Paige but the judges could have scored it the other way especially in Texas. I thought they both looked tired but who would be fresher in round two? Though Kailin got a couple of takedowns, Paige did a lot of damage in the clinch with punches and knees. Her gymnastics background really came in handy. Kailin didn't have an answer for any of that so I scored the round 10-9 for Paige. The fight is close enough that both fighters should try for a round three finish. But Paige went back to the clinch which was very effective in round two. Kailin had nothing for her and Paige took her down near the fence and pounded her until the ref stopped the fight. The stoppage might have been a little early but not by much. Kailin was not defending herself. Paige VanZant won her UFC debut and looked good enough that the fight was named Fight of the Night. Paige won't be on UFC Fight Pass prelims anymore. A star is born...maybe. I want to see how she does against a higher level fighter. Remember Tecia Torres beat Paige in Invicta. And Paige wants revenge. It shows that sometimes moving home to familiar surroundings can calm a fighter and give her renewed focus. Enjoy the video!