Bec Rawlings calls for Paige VanZant rematch as she lands BKFC comeback win

01/27/2025 10:47 AM

Bec Rawlings’ dream fight after landing her first win in five years seems to be a rematch with her old rival Paige VanZant.

The famed female fighter has been one of the biggest names in women’s MMA for years. However, until Saturday night’s BKFC KnuckleMania event where she defeated Taylor Starling by Unanimous Decision, she had struggled for form in recent years.

While not fighting, Rawlings is focusing on her advocacy for women outside of the ring. She is the star Bohemia Media’s newly-released documentary Fight To Live, in which she opened up about her history with domestic abuse.

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Bec Rawlings wants Paige VanZant rematch

Back in August of 2016, Bec Rawlings suffered the sole stoppage defeat of her UFC career against an at-the-time surging Paige VanZant. The bout was a massive feature for both, and saw massive attention which has remained throughout their careers.

Since then, they have gone their separate ways, almost reuniting in BKFC but never quite getting to the point of a rematch. But now with Misfits Boxing and other options available, there is a serious chance of another fight happening.

“Look, it’s not like I dream about punching her in the face,” Rawlings told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat to promote her new film. “But I wouldn’t be mad about it and I think it’s a great fight, she’s a great fighter.

“She’s got a cheeky win on me that I would like to get back so I wouldn’t say no to it. I’d love to fight in Misfits Boxing or bare-knuckle boxing is something I love.”

Bec Rawlings won BKFC comeback fight at KnuckleMania

After a difficult few years of defeats through different disciplines, Rawlings returned to winning ways on Saturday night against Taylor Starling. The pair traded major shots over the five rounds, but it was always Rawlings who was in control.

She scored a first round knockdown and brutalised Starling, who bravely fought through and made it to the final bell. Now, her sights are set on further activity and getting back to title contention within the BKFC ring.

"I fought all around the world on the biggest stages and this by far beats every one of them," she said in her post-fight interview. "This is f***ing amazing. I don't like being sidelined for a year. I'm f***ing crazy. I need to fight."

Bec Rawlings talks new documentary Fight To Live

A major priority in the past few weeks for Rawlings aside from her fighting has been promoting her new film Fight To Live. The Bohemia Media production details her history with domestic abuse and overcoming adversity in her career as a fighter.

“We’ve been filming for a long time and it’s taken a long time to get it released because we had to jump through a lot of hoops,” she told Bloody Elbow. “I’ve always been very vocal about my experience with it from the day that I left him and the few months after when I spoke out about it.

“I’ve always been a big advocate against domestic violence, it’s been a big issue here in Australia and I’ve always been very outspoken about that… I’ve had a lot of people reach out who have been through it or know somebody that has been through it.

“The feedback has been great, a lot of people have said that its helped them move on from what they’ve experienced while they’re stuck in the situation. It helps them to find the courage to leave and a lot of people have shown their daughters and sons in the hopes they can recognize red flags in a relationship.

“That was my number one goal going into it. Obviously I want to help survivors and victims stuck in the situation and I want to prevent it, so if I had seen something like this when I was in high school I would have been able to get out before it was too late.”