Back Injury Knocks Paige VanZant Out of Scheduled UFC 216 Bout Versus Jessica Eye

Paige VanZant's bump up to flyweight will have to wait.

VanZant has been forced out of her bout with Jessica Eye, which was scheduled for UFC 216 on Oct. 7 in Las Vegas. MMAFighting was first to report VanZant's withdrawal and ESPN subsequently added that the promotion wasn't actively seeking a replacement to face Eye. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has since confirmed the news.

The 23-year-old VanZant has pieced together a 4-2 record inside the Octagon, competing at 115 pounds. Coming off of a quick and decisive rear-naked choke loss to Michelle Waterson in December, “12 Gauge” was set to make her flyweight debut against Eye on the UFC 216 bill. According to the MMAFighting report, the culprit in VanZant's pullout is a back injury she sustained while training Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Eye, who is 1-4 in her last five UFC contests, stated on Twitter that she still is owed a flyweight fight by the UFC and is waiting to rebooked.