Paige VanZant’s toughest opponent continues to be her right arm.

For the past couple years, VanZant (8-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has been pushing to get her arm back to 100 percent after suffering the initial injury during a January 2018 fight with Jessica-Rose Clark at UFC Fight Night 124. She’s had multiple surgeries to repair the damage, and it seemed as though 2020 might be the year everything got back on track.

But more adversity has come VanZant’s way. After news broke this week that VanZant was out of her scheduled bout with Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN+ 28, the popular UFC strawweight posted on social media Friday to reveal yet another fracture to the arm was the culprit.

VanZant claimed the injury will push her octagon return back another two months, but she is keeping positive spirits that she will overcome her health struggles (via Instagram):

You know that Japanese proverb “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” Well my story is break your arm three times, keep fighting four. Anyone could choose to give up here, it would be the easiest thing to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength. Yes I fractured my arm again. No this isn’t the end of my story. This is a very small fracture and will only take 6-8 weeks to heal. My Dr. said I will be back ready to take a fight in May. This is the second time I broke through a screw hole where my plate in my arm is, third break in a third spot. I know I need to adjust my training now that I have a permanent plate and screws in there. I will make those adjustments and I will return successfully just as I have before. I am not going anywhere, I am only 25 years old and I am a gangster fighter. I will be making my UFC return in May. God just wanted me to have a little more patience. Send me some good vibes #fanzants I could use some love 💗

VanZant hasn’t competed since UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019, where she earned a submission win over Rachael Ostovich. “12 Gauge” has been scheduled in multiple fights since then, but nothing has come to fruition due to the injuries.

It’s well known that VanZant only has one fight remaining on her UFC contract, and she has made it clear she intends to test the free agency market once she completes that bout. Her husband, Austin Vanderford, is a middleweight fighter for Bellator.

It will be some more time before VanZant gets that free agency experience, though. Now she has to endure the rehabilitation process from another injury setback.