50 Facts About Paige Vanzant

Early Life and Background

Paige VanZant's journey to becoming a multifaceted combat sports star began in a small town in Oregon. Her early life experiences shaped her resilience and determination.

1. Birth Name and Nickname: Born Paige Michelle Sletten, she later changed her surname to VanZant due to bullying in high school.
2. Height and Weight: Standing at 5 feet 4 inches, she has competed in both Strawweight and Flyweight divisions in the UFC.
3. Early Life: Raised in Sherwood, Oregon, near Portland, she grew up in a family that owned a dance studio.
4. Tomboyish Upbringing: Known as a tomboy, she enjoyed outdoor activities like riding dirt bikes and fishing with her father.
5. Bullying in High School: Faced significant bullying, which included mocking her surname, leading her to change it legally to VanZant.
6. Move to Nevada: After moving to Sparks, Nevada, she began training in boxing and other martial arts at Ken Shamrock's gym.

Rise in Mixed Martial Arts

VanZant's entry into the world of MMA was marked by early successes and notable fights that showcased her talent and determination.

7. Amateur MMA Debut: Made her amateur MMA debut at age 18, winning her first professional fight on June 30, 2012.
8. Professional MMA Debut: Her professional debut took place on September 22, 2012, against Amber Stautzenberger, which she won via unanimous decision.
9. Invicta FC Debut: Faced Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 4 on January 5, 2013, but lost via unanimous decision.
10. UFC Strawweight Debut: Made her UFC Strawweight debut on November 22, 2014, against Kailin Curran, winning by TKO in the third round.
11. Fight of the Night Award: At just 20 years old, she became one of the youngest fighters to receive the Fight of the Night award in the UFC.
12. UFC Career Statistics: As of her last fight in the UFC, she had a record of 8-5-0, with 2 wins by knockout, 3 by submission, and 3 by decision.

Notable Fights and Achievements

Throughout her career, VanZant has had several memorable fights and achievements that have cemented her status in the MMA world.

13. Notable Fights: Includes her victory over Alex Chambers via armbar submission at UFC 191 and her loss to Rose Namajunas via submission at UFC Fight Night 80.
14. Aggressive Grappling Style: Known for her aggressive grappling, often applying constant pressure and closing the distance quickly.
15. High Kicks and Punches: Attacks with high kicks and punches, showcasing flexibility and agility from years of dancing.
16. Performance of the Night Award: Earned for knocking out Bec Rawlings with a jumping switch kick at UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit.
17. Salary at UFC 191: Earned $24,000 for her fight against Jessica Penne.

Beyond the Octagon

VanZant's talents extend beyond the octagon, with ventures in dancing, cooking, and even professional wrestling.

18. Dancing with the Stars Appearance: Appeared on the 22nd season of Dancing with the Stars in 2016, paired with Mark Ballas.
19. Chopped Appearance: Showcased her culinary skills on the Food Network show Chopped in 2019.
20. Bare Knuckle Boxing Career: Competed in bare knuckle boxing with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
21. Professional Wrestling Career: Ventured into professional wrestling with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
22. Author and Model: Written an autobiography and worked as a model, demonstrating her versatility.
23. OnlyFans Content Creator: Uses the platform to connect with fans and share aspects of her life beyond combat sports.

Personal Life and Advocacy

VanZant's personal life and advocacy work highlight her resilience and commitment to making a positive impact.

24. Marriage and Family: Married Austin Vanderford in September 2018 and has been open about her personal life.
25. Self-Confidence Through Fighting: Fighting helped her find self-confidence after experiencing bullying in high school.
26. Inspiration from Ronda Rousey: Cited Ronda Rousey as an inspiration for her career in women's MMA.
27. Philanthropic Efforts: Involved in various philanthropic efforts, including advocating for anti-bullying initiatives.
28. Community Involvement: Participates in community initiatives, including anti-bullying campaigns and charity events.

Fighting Style and Skills

VanZant's fighting style is a blend of aggressive grappling, striking, and submission skills, making her a formidable opponent.

29. Constant Pressure in Clinch: Grappling style involves constant pressure, making it difficult for opponents to escape.
30. Takedown Defense: Shows strong takedown defense, often avoiding takedowns and maintaining distance.
31. Submission Skills: Effective submission skills, winning several fights via armbar submission and rear naked choke.
32. Knockout Power: Showcased knockout power, winning fights with jumping switch kicks and other high-impact strikes.
33. Flexibility and Agility: Background in dance contributes to her flexibility and agility in the octagon.
34. Mental Toughness: Emphasizes the importance of mental preparation and resilience in combat sports.

Career Milestones and Legacy

VanZant's career milestones and legacy extend beyond her fighting record, contributing to the growth and recognition of women's MMA.

35. Career Milestones: Includes her first professional win, UFC debut, and first Fight of the Night award.
36. Impact on Women's MMA: Success in the UFC has helped raise the profile of women's MMA.
37. Legacy in MMA: Contributed to the growth and recognition of women's combat sports, paving the way for future generations.
38. Resilience and Perseverance: Career marked by resilience and perseverance, always striving for improvement.
39. Role Model: Cited as a role model for young athletes, particularly women, inspired by her journey from bullying victim to successful fighter.

Media Presence and Business Ventures

VanZant's media presence and business ventures showcase her ability to leverage her popularity for various opportunities.

40. Social Media Presence: Maintains a strong social media presence, engaging with fans and sharing updates.
41. Media Appearances: Appeared in various media outlets, including interviews, podcasts, and reality TV shows.
42. Business Ventures: Explored business ventures outside of combat sports, including partnerships with brands.
43. Endorsement Deals: Secured endorsement deals with several brands, promoting products and services.
44. Authorship: Written an autobiography providing insights into her life, career, and personal struggles.

Continued Ambition and Personal Growth

Despite her achievements, VanZant remains ambitious, continuing to explore new opportunities and emphasizing personal growth.

45. Continued Ambition: Continues to explore new opportunities in combat sports and beyond.
46. Personal Growth: Emphasizes personal growth and self-improvement, reflecting on her experiences and lessons learned.
47. Mental Preparation: Places a strong emphasis on mental preparation, discussing the importance of mental toughness.
48. Cross-Training: Cross-trained in multiple disciplines, including boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling.
49. Fan Base: Built a dedicated fan base across various platforms, engaging with fans and sharing updates.
50. Community Involvement: Involved in various community initiatives, including anti-bullying campaigns and charity events.

Paige VanZant: A Multifaceted Fighter

Paige VanZant's journey from a bullied teenager to a successful professional fighter is nothing short of inspiring. Her versatility shines through her achievements in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing, professional wrestling, and even reality TV. VanZant's aggressive grappling style, knockout power, and mental toughness have earned her a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades. Beyond the octagon, she's an author, model, and OnlyFans content creator, showcasing her ability to excel in various fields. Her advocacy against bullying and involvement in philanthropic efforts highlight her commitment to making a positive impact. Paige's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of self-belief. As she continues to explore new opportunities, VanZant remains a role model for young athletes and an inspiration to many. Her legacy in combat sports and beyond is far from over.