Paige Michelle Vanderford known professionally as Paige VanZant is an American mixed martial artist, author, and model. VanZant is signed to the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Outside of mixed martial arts, she has appeared in the television series Dancing with the Stars and Chopped. As of July 15, 2019, she is #13 in official UFC women's flyweight rankings.
UFC star Paige VanZant seeks a new contract, says she makes more money on Instagram
The mixed martial artist said she makes more money through sponsored social media posts than she does in competitions. "With endorsements, I make way more money sitting at home posting pictures on Instagram than I do fighting," she said in an appearance on "Ariel Helwani's MMA Show."
"If I were to stop everything I do outside of fighting and just fight, I would be at a loss. By a long shot." VanZant broke her arm in a February fight that sidelined her for the rest of the year. But with TV commentary jobs and Instagram sponsorships, that hardly affected her earnings. VanZant has more than 2 million Instagram followers."If I'm gonna keep breaking my arm, if I'm gonna keep bleeding and sacrificing for this sport, I think that all fighters and all-female fighters need to be recognized," she said. Now, she wants UFC officials to up female fighters' salaries across the board. "All of us should be paid more in general, especially women and especially based on your star power."
UFC stars like Ronda Rousey have headlined fights and earned millions. But even stars like VanZant and other female fighters earn significantly less than many male competitors, even if they win their matches.
Bottom line is, Ultimate Fighting Championship star Paige VanZant wants equal pay.
Famous for
- American mixed martial artist
- Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Early life of Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant was born on 26 March 1994 in Dundee, Oregon, U.S. She holds American ethnicity with white ethnicity. Her birth name is Paige Michelle Vanderford with the birth sign of Aries and was born to her father Steve VanZant and mother Rachel VanZant. Her parents owned a dance studio, and she was brought up dancing ballet, jazz, and hip hop for over 13 years. As a teen, she appeared in a mop commercial for Bissell. Regarding her education, she is a high school graduated. Furthermore, she was regularly bullied in high school as VanZant was raped by multiple male classmates after they got her intoxicated at a party which is one of the reasons she likes being a martial artist and having the ability to defend herself.
Body Measurements of Paige VanZant
How tall is Paige VanZant?
Martial Artist Paige VanZant has an amazing athletic slim body physique and stands the height of 5ft 4in tall with a weight of 57 kg. Additionally, her black eyes and blonde hair makes her more beautiful.
Career of Paige VanZant
- VanZant started her career from UFC veteran Ken Shamrock's gym, where she began training in boxing and other martial arts.
- VanZant made her professional MMA debut on June 30, 2012, at UWF's Tournament of Warriors finale against Jordan Nicole Gaza.
- On September 22, 2012, she faced Amber Stautzenberger at Premier Fight Series 2 and won via unanimous decision.
- VanZant faced Tecia Torres at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt. The event was held on January 5, 2013, at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas.
- In December 2013, VanZant was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for its newly created Strawweight division.
- VanZant marked her UFC debut by defeating Curran by TKO in the third round.
- In February 2015, she was signed to a sponsorship deal with Reebok.
- VanZant signed a new contract with UFC on September 17, 2015.
- She ended her run in the strawweight division ranked No. 12.
- In August 2017, VanZant moved to the 125-pound flyweight division and was booked against Jessica Eye at UFC 216 on October 7.
- VanZant's debut in the flyweight division eventually took place in 2018 as she faced Jessica Rose-Clark on January 14, 2018, but she lost the fight via unanimous decision after breaking her arm.
- After a year gap from competition due to a broken arm, VanZant faced Rachael Ostovich on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. She won the fight via armbar submission in the second round.
Additionally,
- On March 8, 2016, VanZant was announced as one of the celebrities who would compete on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars.
- On April 10, 2018, VanZant released her biography, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life. The book details her rise to fame, including her UFC battles, personal battles and appearances on Dancing with the Stars
Personal life of Paige VanZant
Who is Paige VanZant married to?
Paige VanZant is married to Austin Vanderford, a professional MMA fighter in September 2018. The couple began dating the previous year and Vanderford proposed to VanZant in January 2018.
Additionally, In May 2018, VanZant confirmed that she had a breast augmentation, saying: "I'm a girl and always wanted my own boobs. They never came so I bought them."
Birthday of Paige VanZant
Martial artist Paige VanZant celebrates her birthday on the 26th of March with her friends and family. Currently, she is 25 years old.
Net worth of Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant has been in the wrestling world for 4 years and has earned a quite reasonable amount of money from her profession and endorsement deals. As of 2019, her net worth is estimated to be around $600,000.
