While Paige VanZant enjoys the aspect of competing, the idea of doing so in MMA is nothing something she is entertaining.
VanZant, a former UFC fighter, returns this week at Dana White’s Power Slap league. She made her debut with the promotion back in June, earning a decision victory. This time, anZant gets Chelsea Dodson, the wife of former UFC title contender John Dodson.
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For the OnlyFans model and social media darling, the excitement of being active is one she still enjoys. But the idea of what could happen if she steps back inside the cage for the UFC, does not make her smile.
During her MMA career, VanZant suffered several injuries including a broken arm. She last fought for the UFC in 2020, losing via submission to Amanda Ribas.
“I don’t ever like to say I’m closing the door 100%,” VanZant told MMA Junkie recently (thanks to MMA Mania for the quotes). “But I do think it would be hard for me to go back into MMA. Not because I don’t love it, or not because I don’t have a passion for it. I broke my arm five times in my life and four times in basically two years competing.”
VanZant added that she still has a plate that runs the length of her arm from the surgery. THe risk of suffering another break would be tough mentally for her two overcome, she said.
“I can still have the thrill of competing,” VanZant said. “Still get that rush without putting my body at risk.”
VanZant owns an 8-5 record in MMA with three submissions wins of her own. She topped Rachael Ostovich for her last win in 2019 while also competing twice in bare-knuckle boxing matches. She lost both of those in 2021 to Ostovich and Britain Hart.
Before stepping into the world of power slap, VanZant had a boxing match with fellow model Elle Brooke. That bout for the MFB middleweight title went to a draw after five rounds of action.
The VanZant vs. Dobson bout will be Thursday, October 24 from the Space 42nd Arena in Abu Dhabi. Layne Viernes defends his title against Vasilii Kamotskii in the main event along with John Davis doing the same vs. Isaih Quinones in the co-main.