Paige VanZant has pulled out of her upcoming Energy Slap title combat attributable to a severe neck damage.
VanZant revealed on Tuesday that she has a uncommon spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) and will scarily be paralysed if the damage worsens.
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’12 Gauge’ was meant to combat for the first-ever girls’s Energy Slap title on June 27 in a rematch with Mikael-Michelle Brown.
She delivered a dominant efficiency towards Brown in March at Energy Slap 12, extending her undefeated slap-fighting document to 2 wins, one draw and 0 losses with a unanimous determination win.
Nevertheless, the anticipated rematch is now not occurring for now at the very least, as VanZant detailed her ‘freak’ damage on Instagram.
“I’ve a reasonably extreme neck damage,” VanZant defined.
“If it was not such a giant deal I undoubtedly would nonetheless compete as a result of I used to be simply actually excited.
“It is such a giant deal and I used to be so excited for Energy Slap to offer me the chance to combat for a title.
“I’ve what is known as a spontaneous, spinal epidural hematoma. It’s a one-in-a-million, freak, loopy damage that occurred in my neck.
“I used to be having issues with my neck. I went and obtained an x-ray as a result of it was feeling fairly severe and I sort of knew one thing was incorrect.
“The x-ray confirmed a little bit one thing however they have been like, ‘Let’s get an MRI simply to make sure.’
“I went and obtained an MRI. The radiologist referred to as me and was like, ‘You want to see a neurosurgeon instantly.'”
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Paige VanZant Energy Slap Report
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- Win – Mikael Michelle Brown by way of unanimous determination at Energy Slap 12 in March 2025
- Draw – Chelsea Dodson by way of unanimous draw at Energy Slap 9 in October 2024
- Win – Christine Wolmarans by way of unanimous determination at Energy Slap 8 in June 2024
SSEH is outlined as ‘blood accumulation’ within the backbone and may ‘result in extreme neurological deficits,’ in response to an article within the Nationwide Library of Drugs.
VanZant added that she virtually feels ‘completely wonderful’ at this level, as she has no points aside from mendacity down, however she did reveal how extreme the damage might be if it is not handled.
“If it does get greater, there’s a likelihood I can be paralysed,” VanZant concluded.
“That’s only a actuality, I’ve come to simply accept. I really feel actually good. I’m in good spirits.
“It’s regarding and I’m being very cautious and clearly I pulled out for a motive.
“However the way in which I really feel proper now, I’ve a sense this was only a freak factor.
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“My physique’s going to reabsorb the bleed, it’s not going to worsen and I’m going to proceed on with my profession.”
VanZant fought 9 instances within the UFC earlier than leaving in 2020 and transitioning into boxing, bare-knuckle combating and finally Energy Slap.
She famously fought and drew with Elle Brooke final 12 months in a Misfits Boxing conflict.
‘!2 Gauge’ was scheduled to make her MMA return beneath the World Battle League banner in 2025, however the promotion collapsed in April, leaving VanZant and several other different combating stars as free brokers.
Van Zant has since discovered a love in Dana White’s surging slap-fighting promotion the place she stays undefeated.
The 31-year-old pleaded with UFC CEO White to proceed evolving Energy Slap by introducing a belt at 125lbs, which she is going to hopefully get the prospect to combat for within the close to future.