Paige VanZant biography
Paige VanZant is an American MMA fighter, boxer, author and model who is signed to the flyweight division of the UFC. In August 2020, she signed a contract to fight exclusively in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Outside of mixed martial arts, she appeared in the television series Dancing with the Stars and Chopped.
Born in Dundee, Oregon, VanZant grew up in Dayton, Oregon, both near Portland. Furthermore, her parents owned a dance studio and she was raised dancing ballet, jazz and hip hop for over 13 years. As a teenager, VanZant appeared in a mop commercial for Bissell. VanZant was considered a tomboy growing up and loved the outdoors.
In high school, she was regularly bullied by a group of girls which included mocking her surname Sletten, which the students changed to “Sutton”. However, she ended up legally changing her last name to VanZant due to persistent bullying. She noted this experience as one of the reasons she enjoys being a martial artist and having the ability to defend herself.
Paige VanZantUFC
After moving to Sparks, Nevada with her family, she was looking for a dance studio when she came across UFC veteran Ken Shamrock’s gym. It was at this same gym that she began her training in boxing and other martial arts. After winning an amateur fight at age 18, she made her professional MMA debut on June 30, 2012 in the IWF Tournament of Warriors final against Jordan Nicole Gaza. She won the fight via split decision.
On September 22, 2012, she faced Amber Stautzenberger at Premier Fight Series 2 and won via unanimous decision. She faced Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt. The event was held on January 5, 2013, at Memorial Hall in Kansas City. She was dominated on her feet for most of the fight and lost to Torres by unanimous decision.
In December 2013, she was announced as one of 11 women signed by the UFC to its newly created strawweight division. Additionally, it was announced that she would compete as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter, a reality television show, as part of a tournament to crown the inaugural strawweight champion.
Paige VanZant Injury | Back to UFC
However, on March 31, 2014, she was removed from the reality show because she was only 20 years old, and the minimum age to compete is 21 due to the presence of alcohol in the house. The UFC however announced in August 2014 that she would face Kalini Curran on October 4, 2014, in Halifax at UFC Fight Night. However, she suffered a back injury and the fight was rescheduled to UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson.
She marked her UFC debut by defeating Curran via TKO in the third round, in a fight that would win the Fight of the Night award. Following her fin, she has enjoyed a surge in popularity. In February 2015, she signed an endorsement deal with Reebok. This became a source of controversy due to her having only one fight. She later faced Felice Herrig on April 18, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey at UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold.
In August 2020, she signed a four-fight contract to fight exclusively in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. She made her promotional debut on February 5, 2021, against Britain Hart in the main event. However, she lost the fight via unanimous decision. She later faced Rachael Ostovich and lost. After the loss, she expressed interest in resuming MMA competition, speaking of her opening to joining Bellator MMA.
Paige VanZant Age
How old is VanZant? VanZant It is 27 years old from 2021. She was born Paige Michelle Sletten on March 26, 1994, in Dundee, Oregon, United States. Furthermore, she celebrates her birthday on March 26 every year.
Paige VanZant’s Height
VanZant is on average height of 5 feet 4 inches and weighs 57kg equivalent to 126 pounds.
Paige VanZant family
VanZant was born in Dundee, Oregon, and raised in Dayton, Oregon, by supportive parents. His parents owned a dance studio and were raised dancing. However, she chose not to share detailed information about her family.
Paige VanZant’s Husband
VanZant is married to his love Husband Austin Vanderford. Vanderford is a professional MMA fighter, currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he competes in the middleweight division. He is 32 years old as of 2022 and was born on March 21, 1990 in the United States of America.
Paige VanZant’s net worth
VanZant have an estimate net worth from among $1 million – $5 million.