Paige VanZant is reaping the benefits of gambling on herself by leaving the UFC four years ago.
’12 Gauge’ joined Dana White’s promotion in 2014 and quickly won a legion of fans thanks to her fighting skills, good looks, and charismatic personality.
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Six years later, VanZant’s fighting career had plateaued, but a side hustle on social media was taking off following an appearance on America’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.
At that point, she made the bold decision to fight out her contract with the UFC and test her luck as a free agent, which was a massive risk when she left the company in 2020.
VanZant was inundated with offers to continue her combat sports career before signing a three-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship worth around $1.2million (£940,000).
The 30-year-old later revealed she was making around 10 times more money in the bare-knuckle promotion Conor McGregor recently invested in.
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VanZant had two fights with them but hasn’t fought since a loss to Rachael Ostovich in July 2021 as she’s been earning even more cash elsewhere.
In 2022, VanZant began selling exclusive content on OnlyFans and made more money in one day than she did in all nine of his UFC fights combined.
Despite making millions without getting punched in the face, VanZant is set to return to fighting in the main event of .
Adult film star-turned-boxer Elle Brooke will welcome her to the ring for the first time at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas on Saturday night.
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'PVZ' couldn't be happier to be making her boxing debut.
"This is what I love to do," VanZant told talkSPORT's MMA YouTube channel.
Elle Brooke delivers ruthless assessment on Paige VanZant's career during awkward face-to-face interview ahead of their fight
"It’s a part of who I am. It’s what I do. I’m driven, I’m a very competitive person and I have to compete at something.
"And I love fighting and boxing. It’s what I was born to do."
Brooke technically has the experience advantage in boxing as she's fought five times, but all her fights have been against fellow influencers.
VanZant is still a big favourite and confident of picking up a decisive win this weekend.
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She added: “Honestly, I feel like this is just an opportunity for me to put on a show.”
“I’m excited. I have worked really, really hard getting ready for bare-knuckle boxing and getting ready for this fight. I’m just really excited to go out there and show what I’ve been doing.”
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The former UFC fighter respects Brooke for getting into boxing despite not needing the money as she’s made enough from OnlyFans to ‘buy a few Ferraris'.
“I respect every single person who fights,” VanZant said.
“Every single person on this card, influencer or not. You know, having professional fights is not easy and training for fights is not easy.”
VanZant expects her fight against Brooke to be the first of many with KSI’s boxing company, but it’s currently unclear who she will target next.
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“I signed a multi-fight contract with Misfits,” she said.
“So obviously, I’m here to stay and everyone should tune into the career of my life to see what I surprise you with next.”
VanZant still has one fight left on her BKFC contract and she’s excited to fulfil it after seeing McGregor become a part-owner of the fledgling company.
“It’s incredible,” she added about McGregor's investment in the promotion.
"[BKFC President] Dave Feldman, he’s been in the sport of boxing for a very, very long time, he knows exactly what he’s doing and BKFC is doing it well.
“They are making power moves and doing everything right, so I envisage them continuing to have just a ton of success.”
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First things first, VanZant has got to get her first win in any sport since January 2019.
Only after she’s avoided a shock loss to Brooke can she begin looking forward to more fights with Misfits, BKFC and maybe even a return to MMA.
