'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. Former UFC women's flyweight Paige VanZant
There was a time when Paige VanZant was touted in the UFC as the next face of women’s MMA. The popular VanZant amassed a slightly disappointing 8-5 record.
Following her UFC 251 submission loss to Amanda Ribas, VanZant jumped ship to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. While her contract is worth more than $1 million, VanZant has thus far failed to return to winning form.
She was defeated in her debut earlier this year by Britain Hart via unanimous decision. In a UFC rematch at BKFC 19, VanZant dropped a unanimous decision loss to Rachael Ostovich.
Despite her less than stellar track record in recent years, VanZant remains a recognizable and popular star in the world of combat sports. Having appeared on shows such as Dancing with the Stars and Chopped, she’s also proven to have some mainstream crossover appeal.
Given her prominent fanbase and fame, Dana White might at some point want to bring her back to cash in on her star power. That is of course if she can turn things around in BKFC first.
#1. Former UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson
Former UFC light heavyweight boogeyman Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson is looking good in Bellator. He is set to challenge Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator light heavyweight title in October. He picked up his first win in the promotion earlier this year with a second-round knockout on Jose Augusto.
While Johnson never secured light heavyweight gold in the UFC (thanks to Daniel Cormier in both of his title challenges), he was a big star in the division. Johnson’s bone breaking ferocity and knockout power made him a hit with audiences.
A five-time Performance of the Night winner, the 37-year old has unfinished business in the UFC. A fight with current champ Jan Blachowicz (or Glover Teixeira should he win at UFC 267) could be big money down the line.
For that to happen, Johnson will have to keep dominating in Bellator until his contract is up.
Whether or not he and the UFC can come to another agreement some day is anyone’s guess.
