Paige VanZant lands spectacular head kick leading to TKO over Bec Rawlings
Paige VanZant returned in spectacular fashion on Saturday night with a vicious switch kick knockout to finish Bec Rawlings in her first fight back in nine months.
VanZant had been out of action since last December, when she suffered a loss to Rose Namajunas, and then she was offered a chance to compete on the latest season of "Dancing with the Stars".
She ended up taking home runner-up honors on the reality show, but VanZant's heart always belonged back in the Octagon and the 22-year-old was anxious to get back in action.
As the fight got underway, VanZant immediately charged at Rawlings but quickly adapted her game plan to a more strategic attack as she moved around the outside of the Octagon to make her opponent give chase.
VanZant's quick movement seemed to frustrate Rawlings just slightly but neither fighter was engaging much or landing any real damage throughout the first round.
The nine months of ring rust got knocked off from the first five minutes and VanZant looked like a ball of fire coming out for the second as she went after Rawlings with ferocity in her eyes.
.@PaigeVanZant hits a RIDICULOUS jumping switch roundhouse kick KO! #UFCVancouver https://t.co/kXd4hrd3Tx
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) August 28, 2016
Just seconds into the round, VanZant uncorked a beautiful jumping switch kick, feinting with her right foot and cracking Rawlings flush on the jaw with her left.
The Australian strawweight crashed to the canvas and VanZant followed up with a few more punches on her dazed opponent as the referee swooped in for the stoppage.
"I danced a little bit more and I got a knockout!" VanZant said with a smile on her face after earning her second win by TKO in the UFC.
While VanZant has plenty of opportunities outside the Octagon, she says she's dedicated to her fighting career and she hopes to make a quick turn around to compete in the town she currently calls home.
"I want to get in that Sacramento card in December," VanZant said while celebrating her latest victory in the UFC.
