UFC's Paige VanZant resumes training after back injury forced fight withdrawal

UFC women’s flyweight Paige VanZant is back in the training room after a back injury forced her to withdraw from a matchup with Jessica Eye at UFC 216 earlier this month.

Less than two weeks out from UFC 216, VanZant (7-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) revealed a back injury that prevented her from competing in the scheduled matchup with Eye (11-6 MMA, 1-5 UFC). It only got worse from there. “12 Gauge” also was hit with cases of ring worm, pink eye, a sinus infection and a double ear infection.

It was a forgettable time for VanZant, but her health is seemingly now back in order, which means a fight booking could soon be on the horizon. The 23-year-old revealed the improvements to her health on social media (via Instagram):

IM BACK!!!! Let’s go baby! Back healing up. Come get it!! ?? #12gauge

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzantufc) on Oct 18, 2017 at 11:44am PDT

?? those arms! #12gauge #paigevanzant

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzantufc) on Oct 19, 2017 at 10:01am PDT

Where the magic happens ??????????

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzantufc) on Oct 25, 2017 at 8:55pm PDT

VanZant, who was slated to fight for the first time in 2017, recently won an episode of “Chopped” and was runner-up on Season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars” in May 2016. She looked to rebound from a December 2016 loss to Michelle Waterson with a move up to the UFC’s newly-created 125-pound division.

Although not confirmed, Eye has claimed the UFC is working on rebooking the matchup with VanZant at an event before the end of the year.

For more on the UFC schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.