Paige VanZant is already headlining UFC events, but is she ready for Joanna Champion?

The 21-year-old strawweight was slated to headline opposite No. 8 Joanne Calderwood Dec. 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, but now faces former top contender Rose Namajunas after the Scot suffered a knee injury.

With VanZant sitting at No. 6 in the division, her Team Alpha Male head coach Urijah Faber was asked if fighting third-ranked Namajunas is too big of a step up in competition.

"The more I get to know VanZant, the more I think any matchup is good for her," Faber told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "She has a really natural ability to push the pace and be in amazing shape. It's like, you can't get that girl tired. So I think it's a real good matchup. People always like to downplay someone if they're marketable and good-looking, but the fact is that she gets out there and performs. Right now, a fight with Namajunas -- VanZant has to be able to win a fight like that, and I think she will."

VanZant may not be undefeated at just 6-1 as a pro, but she's 3-0 in the Octagon with a pair of stoppages. VanZant's lone decision over Felice Herrig is bookended by a TKO win against Kailin Curran in her debut and a submission of Alex Chambers at UFC 191.

According to Faber, VanZant already has the confidence to challenge strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

"In her mind, she's ready for Joanna Jedrzejczyk, which is the important thing," said Faber. "The one thing I'd worry about is Jedrzejczyk has had 80 fights as a Muay Thai practitioner. So, as one of VanZant's mentors and teammates, I'd like to see her get more experience before she fights for the strap."

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The MMA Beat. The panel discusses the latest regarding Nick Diaz, Miesha Tate, Khabib Nurmagomedov, the upcoming UFC and Bellator fight cards and more.

GSP back? Boxing's Freddie Roach says former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is planning a six-week test training camp to determine whether or not he wants to return to fighting.

Champ fatigue. Anthony Johnson says UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier hasn't "earned it enough" to ask for time off from fighting.

'There was nothing under the table.' Vitor Belfort says controversial drug test results won't tarnish his reputation.

'I can only speculate.' Dan Henderson believes Vitor Belfort "was abusing something" in 2013. "A lot of times the truth tends to come out eventually, like Lance Armstrong."

MEDIA STEW

Highlights from media day in Sao Paulo.

Clay Guida isn't a huge fan of Conor McGregor.

The pros predict Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson III.

Very cool fly on the wall style video capturing Rousey's trip to Brazil.

Retrospective: Valérie Létourneau.

These things happen in MMA.

Long watches.

Bellator 145's Will Brooks: 'I'm testing free agency when my Bellator contract is up'

...

Mackenzie Dern Talks Transition to MMA, Megaton Dias & More

...

TWEETS

Happy anniversary.

10 years ago today my UFC journey began. Throughout this journey I had some great times and i learned... https://t.co/7gyUqAiBsm — Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) November 5, 2015

Stick work.

A true honor working alongside the Movement Maestro Ido Portal this week!! https://sqor.com/posts/47606ec8-0ee2-4ea0-89fb-8f5349c18863/uid/31402 Posted by Conor McGregor on Thursday, November 5, 2015

Beef.

So tired of hearing this meisha shit..she isn't gonna retire n stop bitchin bout $..this cunt makes more than 99.9% of the rest of wmma..FU — tonya evinger (@tonyaevinger) November 5, 2015

Remember that time @CMPunk signed a @ufc contract and never actually fought?Embarrassment to athletes who bust ass and deserve a contract — Joseph Valtellini (@BazookaJoeV) November 6, 2015

Sounds good.

2 weeks till fight time I'm feeling good!! Weight cut is way ahead of schedule! Shout out to... https://t.co/v8TrPuEIcc — #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) November 5, 2015

Tested.

Get well soon.

First day back in the gym since surgery Felt great gotta be honest felt like haven't lost much of... https://t.co/UkKKkEVvfJ — Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) November 6, 2015

Please be careful.

If you can survive fighting a large German Shepherd you can fight anyone https://t.co/BoCXAmSO6G — Daron Cruickshank (@Cruickshank155) November 6, 2015

Dang.

#tbt apparently this was from my first mma fight. I'm not quite that old https://t.co/50gfgWoDxo pic.twitter.com/9jliH9EI4A — Dan Henderson (@danhendo) November 5, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 5 2015)

NA

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