Former UFC competitor Jessica-Rose Clark has expressed interest in a boxing rematch with fellow ex-Octagon opponent Paige VanZant, stating it could present a significant opportunity for both fighters if they get the right promotional support.
Jessica-Rose Clark, who is no longer with the UFC, has expressed her interest in a rematch with Paige VanZant, but this time in boxing. Clark says, “I want to rematch Paige VanZant in boxing and I know she’s spoken a lot about wanting to rematch me,” during an interview on The MMA Hour. She makes it clear she isn’t interested in fighting bare knuckle, even hinting at VanZant’s desire to get back into the ring and her lucrative fan base that could make the rematch beneficial. Clark speculates that the opportunity might excite VanZant given that she once expressed interest in a rematch after Clark’s victory over her in the UFC.
Looking back, in their previous encounter, Clark came out on top against VanZant by way of a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 124 in January 2018. She explains, “She has mentioned before wanting to rematch me again because I did beat her in the UFC and I think that that could be the chance if we get the right promotion behind it, I think it would be a significant fight, honestly.”
With her upcoming Muai Thai match against Karen Cedillo at Lion Fight 75, Clark’s career continues undeterred. This match will be her first after losing at UFC Charlotte to Tainara Lisboa by submission in May. When asked why she wants a rematch with VanZant after their single encounter, she explains the prospect of a high-profile match that could significantly boost her career and earnings is key. “When I fought her the first time, it was a turning point in my career,” she recalls, reiterating her ambition to make money from her decade-long fighting journey and her intention to transition from MMA to boxing.
Clark envisions her future in the boxing world and hopes to wholly transition into this new phase of her combat career. “I think she would want that fight, I want that fight, I want to try my hand in boxing,” she sounds determined. In her ideal boxing debut, Clark would want to take on an MMA fighter rather than a boxer. If she could pick her promoter, she’d choose MVP, expressing her admiration for the work Jake Paul is doing for women in boxing. She even mentions her plan to reach out to him after her Muai Thai match, “I’ll just start spamming his Instagram.”