Paige VanZant expects ‘fireworks’ against The Karate Hottie

On Saturday night, Paige VanZant and “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson are set to headline UFC on FOX 22 in Sacramento, Calif.

The two strawweight contenders are two fighters who are known for their willingness to put on a show, so there should be no shortage of action when the Octagon door closes.

VanZant is the more “mainstream fighter” of the two, but it won’t be an easy bout for “12 Gauge,” as Waterson is a former 105-pound champion in all-female promotion Invicta FC before she made the jump to the UFC.

Waterson is also 30, eight-years the elder of VanZant, so she the rising star knows she will have her work cut out for her in terms of experience.

“When I first started fighting, Michelle Waterson, Felice Herrig and all these girls already had belts in other divisions,” said VanZant noted during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “I understand people think I’m green or think I’m new. But, I’m a high-level athlete and I learn very, very quickly, so, I go in there to win and I think a lot of my tenacity is what gets me a lot of victories. And not a lot of people have that.”

So what can we expect from that tenacity VanZant has? Well, her response is something that should be music to ears of every fan in the seats of the Golden 1 Center on Saturday night.

*cue explosion*

“I have confidence in my own skill and know that I am very prepared for this fight. I am excited to go in their and show a little bit more of my athletic capabilities,” she said. “I was stoked the way I was able to finish my last fight. That was an awesome head kick knockout, so, I am ready to go in there and show a little more fireworks.”

After VanZant’s last finish, we wouldn’t doubt her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBbYklGY8w

The main card of UFC on FOX 22 takes place on, well, FOX, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Prelims will begin at 5 p.m. ET on UFC Fight Pass and FOX Sports 1.

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