Paige VanZant issues respectful challenge to 62 UFC females – just not Maycee Barber

Paige VanZant is a strong proponent of respect in martial arts, according to her latest social media post.

The subject of numerous verbal jabs from Maycee Barber (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) over the past week, VanZant (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) passively acknowledged the callouts in an Instagram post Wednesday afternoon.

VanZant’s Instagram post reads as follows:

“Lesson of the day: RESPECT… One of the first lessons we learn in martial arts is respect. I respect those who have dedicated themselves to this profession and given it their everything to achieve greatness through showcasing their skill. I respect every female fighter tagged in this post. With that said, it would be an honor to share the cage with any of you ladies at 115 or 125. If any of you are interested, let @UFC & @mickmaynard2 know because I’m healthy and ready to get back in there.”

Following the blurb, VanZant tagged (what appears to be) every single female flyweight’s Instagram handle. That’s 62 fighters, to be exact. However, one is missing. Barber’s name was left off the list.

Before and after her UFC on ESPN 6 fight against Gillian Robertson on Friday night, Barber made it clear she wants VanZant next.

The rivalry between VanZant and Barber stretches back months. At one point, Barber even created and posted a fake Instagram DM conversation between herself and VanZant’s husband Austin Vanderford.

After Barber blitzed Robertson and earned a first-round TKO stoppage Saturday at UFC on ESPN 6, Barber called out VanZant on the microphone during her post-fight interview with Jon Anik. In a post-fight media scrum, Barber stated, “I will absolutely ruin (VanZant’s) Instagram career. These elbows hit hard and they cut you up.”

According to a report by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, a bout between VanZant and Barber has been offered to both fighters by the promotion. However, the former is not willing to accept that bout at this time. VanZant has one more fight on her contract and has stated she is open to exploring her options.

The full Instagram post by Paige VanZant can be seen below:

View this post on Instagram

Lesson of the day: RESPECT One of the first lessons we learn in martial arts is respect. I respect those who have dedicated themselves to this profession and given it their everything to achieve greatness through showcasing their skill. I respect every female fighter tagged in this post. With that said, it would be an honor to share the cage with any of you ladies at 115 or 125. If any of you are interested, let @UFC & @mickmaynard2 know because I’m healthy and ready to get back in there. @xiaonan_yan @jodieesquibel @syuri_official @cynthia.calvillo @spidermonkeyyoda @alexa_grasso @tatianasuarezufc @karolinakowalkiewicz @castironcasey @karatehottiemma @angieoverkill @alexchambersmma @teciatorres @randamarkos @emwhitmire115 @mackenziedern @zhangweilimma @livinhaufc @marinarodriguezmma @shockwavecifers @virnajandiroba @amandaufcribas @briannathebull @arianelipski @jessicammapro @joannajedrzejczyk @alexisdavismma @jessicaevileye @roxyfighter @laurenmurphymma @maryna_moroz_ufc @bulletvalentina @blondefighter @badmofo_jojo @veronicamacedomma @luciepudilovamma @champyoni @maramarvillarb @kalindrafaria @polianabotelho_ufc @wuyananufc_ @nadia187kassem @montana.delarosa @rachaelostovich @danger_dobson @savage_ufc @pedritaprvtufc @polyanaviana @princesstiger_mma @andreakgblee @meatballmolly @jennimaiaufc @antoninapantera @arianelipski @tailasantos.ufc @sabinamazo @viviaraujomma @mirandagranger @hannahgoldy @fightermizuki @dianabelbita @luanadread

A post shared by Paige Vanderford (PVZ) (@paigevanzant) on Oct 23, 2019 at 10:57am PDT