Paige VanZant is turning into a fighter; embracing spotlight (2024)

VANCOUVER

Starting out in MMA as a trained dancer-turned-fighter, Paige VanZant had a lot to learn.

“When I went into the UFC, I was just tough,” VanZant said. “And now I’m turning into a fighter.”

VanZant steps back into the Octagon Saturday night in Vancouver to take on Bec Rawlings on FOX. She’s only been in camp for a few weeks on the heels of a spectacular run on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, but “12 Gauge” missed the violence. She had to get back inside the Octagon.

The last time VanZant was in a fight, very little went her way, resulting in a submission loss against Rose Namajunas. The night wasn’t a total waste – VanZant’s ability to absorb punishment and keep going was the huge takeaway from the night.

Becoming a fighter is an unforgiving process.

“Looking back at the fight, everything went wrong,” VanZant said. “I have no excuses, though. I just had to try and pull myself together. I got rocked early in the first and it’s hard to recover after that. I’m just trying to figure out where I am and what round it is. It was a big test for me and I’mready to move on.”

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After competing in three fights in eight months in 2015, VanZant, 22, hasn’t been back inside the Octagon since the loss to Namajunas. Obsessed with competition, VanZant turned her attention to the dancing arena, where she starred as a child. She finished second in a very hotly contested final showdown, but VanZant may have emerged as the most popular celebrity and breakthrough personality on that season of Dancing with the Stars.

VanZant said she was made for the spotlight. UFC president Dana White thinks she has something special that people are drawn to.

Out of the spotlight, VanZant is the same positive, humble person that fans have come to know and appreciate.

“She’s a wonderful girl. She was born with the ‘it factor,’” said Owen Carr, VanZant’s striking coach. “She’s a great speaker and she’s so family-oriented. She’s so personable – the perfect lady.”

Carr, who learned how to teach striking under the guidance of Rafael Cordeiro, was absent from VanZant’s corner in her last fight. He watched from home and suffered through the fight, thinking he could have helped. He said that VanZant’s boxing has made improvements in this camp alone, but that it’s her complete arsenal as an MMA striker that makes her a bad matchup for Rawlings.

“She’s a complete MMA striker; in boxing it’s just two hands,” Carr said. “We have elbows, knees, kicks and there’s a whole other element of striking when you have eight weapons instead of just two.”

VanZant is expecting a war against Rawlings. Both fighters bring the aggression and leave nothing in the Octagon, which should leave fans happy on fight night.

What makes VanZant exciting is also what makes her vulnerable at times. Her charge-forward, in-your-face style leaves her open to damage and she knows it. Her team has been helping her work on the holes in her defense, and she’s always trying to find the right balance.

Paige VanZant is turning into a fighter; embracing spotlight (1)“I’m an aggressive fighter. I go out there to really put on a fight. I don’t go out there to just float through three rounds and see what happens at the end of it,” VanZant said. “I want to try and finish it in the first round, in the first minute. It’s something I’m definitely working on. I gotta definitely try to hold off a little bit and not fire the gun so quickly.”

The process of becoming a fighter is still in the early stages for VanZant. She’s learning and adding to her game every day in practice and with each fight.

Losses hurt but the experience gained is what leads to growth. VanZant is becoming a fighter and embracing the spotlight that’s illuminated her since her debut. It will only get brighter, but she’s confident in her abilities.

VanZant is putting everything she has into becoming a fighter.

“Not a lot of people know what it’s like to lose a fight,” VanZant said. “It is hard and it sucks and it’s emotional. If I wasn’t sad or if I wasn’t emotional, then I didn’t want it bad enough.

“I put my whole heart out there and I do that in every single fight I have. That’s why I am so emotional, because I put my heart into everything I do.”

Matt Parrino is a digital producer and writer for UFC.com.Follow him on Twitter at @MattParrinoUFC

Paige VanZant is turning into a fighter; embracing spotlight (2024)

FAQs

Is Paige VanZant still a fighter? ›

Following her departure from UFC in 2020, VanZant signed a four-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. She has an 0-2 record in two bouts and hasn't competed in BFKC since losing to Rachael Ostovich in July 2021. VanZant made a few appearances in All Elite Wrestling in 2021 and 2022.

How much does Paige Van Zant make? ›

VanZant received an average of $100,000 from the UFC for each fight, including sponsorships and win bonuses. Her total earnings from her UFC career to date are reportedly $564,000. Her career-disclosed earnings, according to Tapology, are $207,000.

Who is Paige Van Zant married to? ›

VanZant appeared alongside her husband Austin Vanderford in the audience on the March 9 episode of Dynamite.

Which UFC fighter turned woman? ›

Fallon Fox came out as transgender on March 5, 2013, during an interview with Outsports writer Cyd Zeigler and Sports Illustrated, following her two initial professional fights in the women's division.

How many fights has Paige VanZant lost? ›

Paige VanZant Record: 8-5-0
W/LFighterMethod
lossPaige VanZant Jessica-Rose ClarkU-DEC
lossPaige VanZant Michelle Waterson-GomezSUB Rear Naked Choke
winPaige VanZant Bec RawlingsKO/TKO Kick
lossPaige VanZant Rose NamajunasSUB Rear Naked Choke
6 more rows

How much does Paige make on OnlyFans? ›

VanZant's claims become a lot more clear after this. She implied that she had made more than $564,000 in the span of 24 hours from her 'OnlyFans' subscriptions. A one-month subscription to her 'OnlyFans' content costs $9.99, while it stands at $26.97 for three months.

Who is the ex UFC fighter on OnlyFans? ›

Former UFC Fighter Paige VanZant Shifts Focus To OnlyFans Career To Support Her Family - IMDb. Paige VanZant, the former UFC fighter known for her versatility in combat sports, has announced a significant career pivot.

Did Paige VanZant get a back tattoo? ›

In her latest photoshoot, VanZant showed off her new back tattoos via two videos uploaded to her Instagram handle. The former UFC star could be seen posing for some professional pictures with her new body ink clearly visible. The tattoo notably almost covers her back and is seemingly inspired by a dragon and a cat.

How old was VanZant when he died? ›

On October 20, 1977, Van Zant died in a plane crash. A plane was taking the band from South Carolina to Louisiana, but it ran out of fuel. He died when the plane hit the ground because of head injuries. He was 29 years old.

What band was VanZant brother in? ›

Both are brothers of Ronnie Van Zant, the original lead singer for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny became the lead vocalist for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987. Donnie was the leader and vocalist of . 38 Special.

What nationality is Paige VanZant? ›

What UFC girl fighter retired? ›

Michelle Waterson-Gomez, one of the most influential figures in women's mixed martial arts history, retired at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas. Waterson-Gomez, 38, announced her retirement following a unanimous-decision loss to Gillian Robertson on the UFC 303 undercard.

Is Paige VanZant still with Austin? ›

Former UFC star Paige VanZant has pivoted away from the ring in recent years to a lucrative new calling on OnlyFans, as well as her podcast, Paige and Austin: A Kickass Love Story, that she hosts with her professional MMA star husband, Austin Vanderford.

Who is the UFC fighter out of Reno? ›

Payton Talbott continues to make waves in the mixed martial arts world. The Reno High and University of Nevada graduate recently secured a knockout victory at UFC 303, moving his professional fighting record to an impressive 8-0. Not bad for a 25-year-old who took up fighting after high school.

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