Paige VanZant claims next fight vs. 'TUF 26' winner (for title?); UFC says nope

Why wait to find out the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 26”?

That’s what soon-to-be flyweight Paige VanZant apparently thought. As UFC 217 rolled on, she hopped on Twitter to declare her next opponent would be the winner of the reality show.

My next fight is against the winner of the 125 division Ultimate Fighter. Don’t blink.

Is this a new thing? If you’re fighting on “TUF,” is your graduate opponent set long before you win the tournament?

More pressing, is VanZant getting an immediate title shot? That’s what she’s implying, because the 26th season of the reality show will crown the inaugural women’s champ at 125 pounds.

As it turns out, the answer is no. MMAjunkie reached out to UFC officials, who said of VanZant’s claim that it’s “not currently in works.”

VanZant (7-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) does need an opponent, of course. Her last fight, a  scheduled flyweight bout against Jessica Eye (11-6 MMA, 1-5 UFC) at UFC 216, was pulled when she suffered a back injury.

Now back in the gym, “12 Gauge” is getting ready for her return. She just might have jumped the gun this time.

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