Paige VanZant is not just a well-known OnlyFans star, she is also a professional boxer who has been in the game since 2012. Born as Paige Sletten on March 26, 1994, in Dundee, Oregon, VanZant grew up in a dance studio owned by her parents where she trained in ballet, jazz, and hip hop for thirteen years. Despite her love for dancing, she also enjoyed outdoor activities like riding dirt bikes and fishing, making her quite the tomboy.
After facing persistent bullying in high school, VanZant legally changed her last name to VanZant. This tough experience fueled her passion for mixed martial arts, as she wanted to be able to defend herself. Following her move to Nevada after high school, VanZant stumbled upon UFC veteran Ken Shamrock’s gym, where she began training in MMA and boxing, ultimately leading her to win an amateur fight at just 18 years old.
VanZant made her professional MMA debut in 2012 and later signed a deal to fight under the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) banner in 2022. In addition to her fighting career, VanZant has also made appearances on popular television shows like Dancing With The Stars and Chopped.
In 2013, VanZant joined the UFC’s Strawweight Division and made her debut in 2014 with a knockout victory. Despite some controversy surrounding her sponsorship deal with Reebok, due to her rising popularity and looks, UFC president Dana White defended the decision, citing VanZant’s “it” factor and personality.
In pursuit of a more lucrative fighting career, VanZant announced her departure from UFC in 2020 and signed a four-fight exclusive contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). She made her BKFC debut in February 2021 but hasn’t competed since her loss in July 2021.
With an impressive social media following of 3.1 million on Instagram, VanZant has found success outside of the fighting world as well. She has launched her exclusive subscription-based website and has lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Columbia Footwear, and Reebok. Additionally, VanZant’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million as of 2024.
Returning to boxing, VanZant is set to fight OnlyFans and TikTok star Elle Brooke on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Houston, Texas. This bout will be the headline fight for MF & DAZN: X Series 15 for the MFB women’s middleweight championship. Despite the financial benefits of her career, VanZant has stated that she would continue fighting for free because it is what she loves to do.
