PAIGE VanZant is known most commonly as an OnlyFans star - but she has also been a professional boxer since 2012.
Here is everything you need to know about the star.
1
Who is mixed martial arts fighter Paige VanZant?
VanZant was born Paige Sletten on March 26, 1994, in Dundee, Oregon.
Growing up, her parents owned a dance studio, where she trained in ballet, jazz and hip hop for thirteen years.
She also starred in a Bissell mop commercial as a teen.
She was considered a tomboy growing up and loved riding dirt bikes, fishing, and being outdoors.
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Paige legally changed her last name from Sletten to VanZant due to persistent bullies in high school.
She has noted that her experiences with bullying as one of the reasons she enjoyed learning mixed martial arts, and being able to defend herself.
After high school, her family moved to Nevada, where she tried to find a dance studio but instead came across UFC veteran Ken Shamrock's gym.
She began to train in MMA and boxing, leading her to win an amateur fight at 18.
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VanZant made her professional MMA debut in 2012.
She signed a deal to fight under the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) banner in 2022.
In 2018 she married fellow MMA fighter Austin Vanderford.
When was Paige VanZant in the UFC?
In 2013, VanZant and ten other women signed with Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) newly created Strawweight Division.
She made her UFC debut in 2014 in a knockout victory against Kailin Curran.
After defeating Curran, VanZant saw a rise in popularity and landed a sponsorship deal with Reebok.
The deal proved controversial because the 5-foot-4 beauty had only one fight up until that point.
Other fighters and the media speculated she was being favored due to her looks.
UFC president Dana White defended the Reebok deal, saying it came because of VanZant's "it" factor and personality.
In 2020, VanZant announced she was leaving UFC to pursue a more lucrative fighting career.
She told Heavy that she wants to retire from combat sports someday, so she wants to make as much money as possible while she still can.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) signed VanZant to a four-fight exclusive contract.
She made her debut for BKFC in a losing effort against former boxer Britain Hart in February 2021.
She hasn't hasn't fought in BKFC since losing to Rachel Ostovich in July 2021.
Elle Brooke in stunning body transformation as she shows off toned abs and vows to 'snatch Paige Vanzant's soul'
What were some of Paige VanZant's television appearances?
In 2016, VanZant was announced for the 22nd season of popular dance competition show Dancing With The Stars.
She was paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas and placed second.
VanZant was outspoken about making more money on DWTS than her entire time with UFC.
A year later the fighter appeared on the Food Network celebrity cooking competition show Chopped.
She was featured on the episode "Star Powers: Culinary Muscle" with NFL star LaMarr Woodley, Olympic gold medallist fencer Mariel Zagunis, and Olympic gold medalist figure skater Dorothy Hamill.
How many Instagram followers does Paige VanZant have?
VanZant made headlines in 2019 when she said she makes more money "sitting at home posting pictures on Instagram than I do fighting".
As of 2024 the former dancer has 3.1 million Instagram followers.
She also said: “I’ve added up all the money I’ve made in the UFC over six years, and I could have just had a regular job with the same pay."
What is Paige VanZant's net worth?
According to FightFans, VanZant is approximately worth $3 million as of May 2024.
The 30-year-old bombshell launched her exclusive subscription based website PaigeFanZant.com.
Fans pay $9.99 monthly for photos, videos, and access to the star.
According to ESPN's Ariel Helwani, VanZant's BKFC deal is worth over $1million plus incentives, a "significant raise" from what she was making in UFC.
VanZant also released an autobiography in 2018 titled Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life.
She has modeled for Nike, Columbia Footwear, Reebok and has appeared in the 2019 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
VanZant's endorsem*nts include Monster Energy Drinks, Metro PCS, and Harley Davidson.
See also:
- Ex-UFC star VanZantconfirms she's had talks with WWE
- WWE starDana Brooke wishes VanZant wellin debut match
- PaigeVanZant's possible WWE matchups
- Deonna Purrazzopicks her women's wrestling Mount Rushmore
What is Paige VanZant's boxing record?
VanZant's boxing record stands at 8-5-0.
This means that out of her thirteen fights, she has won eight, lost five and drawn none.
However, she has not fought since 2021 after she lost two fights in a row.
When is Paige VanZant fighting Elle Brooke?
VanZant is returning to boxing with a fight against OnlyFans and TikTok star Elle Brooke on Saturday May 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
The fight is sponsored by Misfits Boxing and is the headline bout for MF & DAZN: X Series 15 for the MFB women's middleweight championship.
She told SunSport UK that she spent the last three years training for her comeback.
She continued: "I don't look at my bank account.
"I have a financial advisor, so I honestly have no idea how much money I have!
I know that I like to work out, I like to work hard, I like to win fights to be successful and I like to take care of those around me.
"As long as I'm continuing to do what I love, for me it's just background noise.
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"And of course, it's a benefit to me I get to call what I love a career and it can support me financially.
"But I would be doing this for free. It's what I find fun."
