Fresh off her short notice UFC debut this past weekend, Aussie Jessica-Rose Clark looks set to face one of the biggest names in women’s MMA.
Clark (8-4) secured a split decision victory over fellow Australian, Bec Rawlings, at UFC Fight Night 121 in Sydney.
With a UFC record of just 1-0, “Jessy Jess” announced via social media that her next opponent would be Paige VanZant (7-3). The bout is scheduled to take place in the UFC’s women’s flyweight division at UFC Fight Night 124 St Louis, in January.
Are you excited? Cos I’m excited 😆 #UFCStLouis#JRCvsPVZ pic.twitter.com/qoPYRaEyjV
— Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) November 23, 2017
Clark got her chance to fight in the UFC after Joanne Calderwood was forced out of the Rawlings fight at UFC Fight Night Sydney due to injury. With less than two weeks to prepare, Clark missed weight by three pounds but still managed to secure the victory.
In the UFC post-fight press conference (video), Clark said she felt that flyweight was her natural weight class and she was only a couple of fights away from title contention. A win over VanZant would likely place her high in the rankings in the UFC’s newest women’s division.
VanZant, who hasn’t fought in almost a year after her first-round submission loss to Michelle Waterson in December 2016, has yet to comment on the match up. The bout in January against the Aussie will be the flyweight debut of “12 Gauge”.
