This is the BKFC 19 live blog for Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich, the featherweight main event for Friday night’s fight card at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Fla.
VanZant lost her much-anticipated BKFC debut via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to Britain Hart in the BKFC Knucklemania main event on Feb. 5, 2021 in Miami. VanZant compiled an 8-5 record in the UFC before joining BKFC as a free agent.
Ostovich makes her BKFC debut Friday night. She lost her last three UFC fights (two by submission, one by knockout) compiling a 4-6 record in MMA.
VanZant and Ostovich have fought each other in MMA with VanZant defeating Ostovich via armbar at UFC Fight Night 143 on Jan. 19, 2019.
The VanZant vs. Ostovich main event will be five two-minute rounds.
Check out the live blog below.
Round 1: VanZant advances quickly but eats a couple of left hands from Ostovich. Ostovich throwing bombs and connecting early. VanZant punches at a ducking Ostovich but gets a warning for pushing the head down. Ostovich scoring in the clinch. VanZant fires back with a clinch uppercut. Clean right connects VanZant. They’re scrapping in the clinch. VanZant backs Ostovich with a left, but walks right into a looping Ostovich right.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Ostovich.
Round 2: Ostovich land a counter right. VanZant is flicking out a jab, but Ostovich isn’t biting. Another good right for Ostovich. VanZant initiates an exchange. Ostovich throwing that right hand as she enters. Left hand counter on the button for Ostovich. VanZant with jab pressure to close out the second.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Ostovich. Overall, 20-18 Ostovich.
Round 3: Ostovich catches VanZant with that right hand again as she approaches. Step-in uppercut for Ostovich. She keeps landing that right hand over the top. VanZant just not committing to anything heavy. VanZant cracks Ostovich with a jab. Another right scores for Ostovich. Ostovich with the 1-2 as she gets in and out. Ostovich with rights to the body in the clinch, VanZant answers with short uppercuts.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Ostovich. Overall, 30-27 Ostovich.
Round 4: VanZant backs Ostovich up with a right hand as she chases her. Straight punches score for VanZant. Huge right hand by Ostovich connects and you can tell VanZant felt that one. She clinches up and is holding on tight as they wrestle against the ropes. Ostovich trying to loosen the clinch with body shots. VanZant goes for body shots and fights for an underhook, the referee breaks it up. Nice flurry by Ostovich to close the round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Ostovich. Overall, 40-36 Ostovich.
Round 5: VanZant having success with the jab early. Ostovich backs her off with a couple of quick overhand rights. Ostovich can’t get past the jab. A 1-2 from VanZant lands hard on Ostovich’s chin. Referee quick to break up a clinch. Ostovich back to the rights and the body work in the clinch. VanZant sneaks in a few punches in the clinch before the bell.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, VanZant. Overall, 49-46 Ostovich.