Paige VanZant has made the most of her entire combat sports career that having ‘UFC Fighter’ on her resume is only a fraction of what she has done.
After leaving the UFC in 2020, VanZant has made appearances in pro wrestling, bare-knuckle boxing, boxing, and most recently, Power Slap. No matter public opinion on either bare-knuckle boxing, pro wrestling or Power Slap, PVZ has been putting her body through it all and answering any and all criticism in the process.
Paige VanZant
There are not many who leave the UFC and find their life to be more lucrative as they make the most out of life outside one of the premier MMA promotions. VanZant’s career journey is not one that can many replicate and for that, she should be applauded.
During brief appearances in AEW pro wrestling, VanZant was alongside American Top Team owner Dan Lambert and during her run, she excelled in exactly what she needed to, entertainment.
Bare Knuckle
Not many combat sport athletes can see their stock continuously soar to new heights despite not being victorious, but there’s not many athletes like Paige VanZant. In her bare-knuckle boxing debut, VanZant was involved in an entertaining war that garnered over 1 million views on the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship YouTube channel.
Boxing
Following two fights in BKFC, Paige VanZant would go back to sporting gloves and most recently competed in a boxing match this year. Taking on Influencer Elle Brooke, VanZant brought more eyes to a fight that was razor-close and she ended up dropping a split-decision.
Once again however, the stock of VanZant never fell despite her not seeing her hand raised in victory. So following her tenure in pro wrestling, bare-knuckle boxing, and traditional boxing, “12 Gauge” decided she was going to raise her own and join Power Slap.
Power Slap
Plenty of criticism followed as people tried to label it as a “fall from grace” when in reality, she was just adding to her legacy of doing things her way, ignoring the rest of the world. Having been judged based on her self-branding and never given deserved respect as a multi-talented combat sports athlete.
In her Power Slap debut, VanZant went the distance and picked up a win by unanimous decision as she went through yet another back-and-forth war.
Showing up in many different roles, for many different reasons, to many different audiences, Paige VanZant won’t stop and won’t listen to the criticism. She has taken the role of Mrs. ‘Do-It-All’ and entertains in every possible way.
In a time where fighters are credited not just by their results but by their branding and social media following, Paige VanZant has capitalized on every opportunity, seized the moment to be involved in it all, and is bringing her following along for the ride.
If Paige VanZant has proven anything since her UFC departure, it’s that you can thrive and be successful in combat sports, even after you leave the promotion.
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