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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Paige VanZant didnt want to tap. Not in her backyard, not in the first round, not on national television.So as Michelle Waterson locked in a rear-naked choke hold tight, VanZant fought and fought until she could fight no more. It wasnt until VanZants face started to change color and she was on the verge of passing out that referee John McCarthy stepped in and waved off the fight.It wasnt the storybook finish to her main event she had been hoping for, but that doesnt mean there wont be plenty of storybook finishes for her in the near future.Saturdays result doesnt change the fact that VanZant is a star. She is a celebrity that is no longer defined by wins and losses in the Octagon. Her brand wasnt really going to get a major boost with a first-round win over Waterson, and its not really going to take much of a hit after her first-round loss either.That is why VanZant needs to consider her future in the UFC after just her 10th professional mixed martial arts fight.At 22 years old, VanZant isnt necessarily at a crossroads, but she has reached a point where she no longer needs to step into the UFCs unforgiving and unpredictable cage to continue her rise as a celebrity. Its a ride she can now continue to make in the safer and scripted confines of the WWE.There has been an ever-growing blurring of the lines between the UFC and WWE recently, with Brock Lesnar fighting for both companies this summer, CM Punk making his UFC debut in September, two years after leaving the WWE, and the constant war of words between Conor McGregor and WWE wrestlers, past and present.Its no secret that VanZant is a wrestling fan and wants to join the WWE at some point. She has never shied away from the question, even when it was brought up before Saturdays fight.It seems like I get asked that a lot, so it seems like the people want me to do it, VanZant said. I would love to. Its an amazing organization. After this, Ill decide what Im doing and where Im going, and if other opportunities arise, Ill go for those ... I have so many positive opportunities in front of me right now.That should come as no surprise. VanZant was the runner-up on Dancing with the Stars earlier this year, has been fielding prospective movie roles for the past year, including a starring role alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, which she turned down to train for a fight, and is a favorite of TMZ videographers when shes in public. After her second loss in her last three fights on Saturday, both of which she main evented, she refused to blame outside factors or interests.I was meant for the spotlight, and Im going to be in the spotlight, she said. I will be back, and Im going to have the belt one day. Im 22 years old, and I have a long time. Ill be back.While VanZant continues to have lofty aspirations for her UFC career, she frequently references her many opportunities outside the Octagon, including the WWE, and shes more than willing to give those a chance.The opportunities are endless, VanZant said. I have a lot of big things outside of fighting, and Im going to pursue those for a little while.Theres no doubt the WWE is interested. The company reached out to VanZants representatives last summer with an eye toward having her at their annual SummerSlam pay-per-view event. The deal never materialized, but VanZant said that she is still interested.Jim Ross, who recruited and signed many of WWEs current stars, from Lesnar to John Cena, when he was the head of WWE talent relations, believes VanZant could be the next big WWE star whenever she decides to make the transition, envisioning her as a cross between Ronda Rousey and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.Paige has the uncoachable it factor, Ross told ESPN on Saturday. Its the same as I saw in Dwayne Johnson, John Cena and Brock Lesnar. She even has marketable initials: PVZ. Based on what Ive seen, Id consider Paige a blue-chipper when shes ready.If her skill set would match up with her hype and rep, Id book her making some sort of water cooler talk impact in a perfect TV storm. Wearing gloves wouldnt limit her sex appeal, and it fits who the public knows her to be. Id intro her with huge fanfare, cover her contract signing, training and document her entire journey. Build a long arching anticipation for her debut, which would be at an important destination. There are lots of right ways to introduce a potential star within the sports-entertainment genre.This isnt simply about VanZant joining the WWE because she cant cut it among the top fighters in her weight class. This is about growing her brand and thinking about her career, long-term. WWE stars arent just wrestlers anymore. The Rock is probably the hottest name in Hollywood right now, and Cena is hosting the ESPYS, Saturday Night Live and appearing in major movies and television shows.VanZant may not be totally willing to leave the UFC for the WWE yet, but that shouldnt prevent her from being a part-time performer until she is ready to make the jump full-time. Its the kind of partnership between UFC and WWE that would benefit both promotions. All UFC president Dana White has to do is look at Lesnars blockbuster pay-per-view numbers and the fact that Punk attracted about 450,000 pay-per-view buys for his first professional MMA fight to see what a little rub from the WWE can do for his fighters and events.Id assume she could do both, but Im not sure how successful shed be at either while splitting her focus, Ross said. The skills required to be a successful, pro grappler are varied and need months of diligent training under the watchful eye of top coaches. WWE has that covered. Id suggest that she fulfill her UFC commitments and try and live her MMA dreams before committing to WWE, unless it was for a one-off, high-profile cameo at a major event like WrestleMania.VanZant said shes more than capable of doing more than one thing at a time and said she wasnt exactly sure when she would fight again, saying it could be a couple months or six months or even longer. In the meantime, she will pursue all those opportunities she has in front of her.I took a break to do Dancing with the Stars, and I came back and I knocked somebody out, VanZant said. Im very good at balancing my outside factors. I know how to balance my schedule. I have the best team in the world. Im very smart. I could have done anything I wanted to, and I chose to fight, and Im going to continue to balance my schedule ... I have a lot of passions in the world, and Im not going to limit myself to one thing.Connor McGovern Cowboys Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Bill Bates Womens Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. https://www.cowboyssportsgoods.com/Womens-Ezekiel-Elliott-Inverted-Jersey/ . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Deion Sanders Womens Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Trysten Hill Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string.COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland coach Brenda Frese wondered if her players were fully awake for their late morning tip-off against in-state foe Mount St. Marys.They had turnovers, breakdowns on defense and uncharacteristically missed open shots. However, it didnt take long for the No. 6 Terrapins to fix the problem. Brionna Jones finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds to help No. 6 Maryland rout the Mountaineers 106-42 on Friday.Ieshia Small had 14 points off the bench for Maryland (3-0). Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Kaila Charles and Jenna Staiti added 10 points apiece for the Terrapins, who shot 58 percent from the field.I thought we had a really slow, sluggish start, Frese said. Our shots werent falling and we werent as crisp as we usually are. The second half was a much better indicator of how we want to play for 40 minutes.The Mountaineers (1-2) trailed only 18-13 at the end of the first quarter. But the Terrapins used their size to take control. The 6-foot-3 Jones scored 12 points to boost the lead to 34-18 with 3:37 left in the second quarter.We have a lot of weapons on our team, Jones said. Anybody can come off the bench and score. Were just going to keep playing our brand of basketball.The Mountaineers tried to stay in the game by hoisting three-pointers, but they went 3 of 21 and trailed 37-20 at the break. They finished 7 of 32 from behind the arc.A pair of free throws and layup by freshman Destiny Slocum boosted the margin to 57-25 midway through the third quarter, and the only uncertainty was whether Maryland would score 100 or more points for the third straight game.A 3-pointer by Sarah Myers gave Maryland a 100-39 llead late in the fourth quarter.ddddddddddddKatrice Dickson led Mount St. Marys with 12 points.I thought we played really well in the first quarter, Mountaineers coach Bryan Whitten. We became very undisciplined on the offensive side in the second quarter. You give up 37 points in the first half, you think youre in a good spot.BIG PICTUREMount St. Marys: The Mountaineers started four guards to play uptempo and put their best shooters in the floor. The strategy worked early before the Terrapins did a better job protecting the ball and wearing them down.Maryland: Frese is pleased with the quick start of her team, which has averaged 104 points in three games against much weaker programs. Her deep roster will help create matchup problems for most opponents this season.FAB FRESHMANMaryland freshmen Destiny Slocum and Kaila Charles were in the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Both played well enough to maintain those spots. Charles scored in double figures for the third time, and Slocum has seamlessly run the plays at point guard.FINDING A HOMEThe Mountaineers Mikal Johnson, a graduate transfer, is playing for her third college program. Johnson played two seasons at Rider, where she was a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection, and then one year at Liberty. After scoring in double figures in each of the first two games, Johnson had three points against Maryland.UP NEXTMt. St. Marys: The Mountaineers host Fairfield on Sunday.Maryland: The Terrapins play at Niagara on Sunday in their first road trip. ' ' '