Paige Michelle VanZant is an American mixed martial artist, author, and model. VanZant was signed to the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In August 2020, VanZant signed a contract to fight exclusively in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Outside of mixed martial arts, she has appeared in the television series Dancing with the Stars and Chopped.
VanZant made her professional MMA debut on June 30, 2012, at UWF’s Tournament of Warriors finale against Jordan Nicole Gaza in Corpus Christi, Texas, winning by split decision. On September 22, 2012, she faced Amber Stautzenberger at Premier Fight Series 2 and won via unanimous decision. VanZant marked her UFC debut by defeating Curran by TKO in the third round, in a fight that would win Fight of the Night honors.
VanZant faced Felice Herrig on April 18, 2015, in Newark, New Jersey, at UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold. Following a competitive first round, VanZant eventually overwhelmed Herrig with her grappling, winning by unanimous decision. Following her time on Dancing with the Stars, VanZant returned to the cage to face Bec Rawlings on August 27, 2016, at UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit. She won the fight via KO in the second round after landing a flying head kick and a flurry of follow-up punches. The win earned VanZant her first Performance of the Night bonus award. In August 2020, VanZant signed a four-bout contract to fight exclusively in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. VanZant has a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
VanZant released her biography, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life on April 10, 2018.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Paige VanZant is an American mixed martial artist, author, and model to talk about the secret to success, diet, and exercise routine.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Dundee, Oregon, and raised in Dayton, Oregon. You were brought up dancing ballet, jazz, and hip hop for over 13 years. You later moved to Sparks, Nevada, and came across UFC veteran Ken Shamrock’s gym, where you began training in boxing and other martial arts, you won an amateur fight at the age of 18 years, and made your professional MMA debut on June 30, 2012, at UWF’s Tournament of Warriors finale against Jordan Nicole Gaza in Corpus Christi, Texas, and won. This propelled your American mixed martial artist career to the height where you have been at the top of the world of MMA and this August 2020, you signed a contract to fight exclusively in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Tell us more about this spectacular professional journey as a Mixed Martial Artist?
Paige VanZant:
I have had an amazing mixed martial arts career so far. I have been very blessed with huge opportunities and had the drive and competitive nature to accomplish a lot at a young age. I’m very excited about this next chapter in my life which I am about to take on. I have just signed with bareknuckle fighting championship where I will be a professional bareknuckle boxer. Making a career change is always scary and nerve-racking. But I’m working very hard and I’m excited for the challenge.
Namita Nayyar:
You returned to the cage to face Bec Rawlings on August 27, 2016, at UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit. You won the fight via KO in the second round after landing a flying head kick and a flurry of follow-up punches. The win earned you the first Performance of the Night bonus award? Tell us about this memorable win in your career?
Paige VanZant:
This fight absolutely is a stand out in my mind as one of my favorite accomplishments. As a professional fighter you always want to show your best skills. I feel that this really showed the hard work and dedication that I put to the sport, it also made for an amazing highlight reel.
Namita Nayyar:
You are a world-leading American mixed martial artist, author, model, media personality, reality television star, and a brand ambassador. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Paige VanZant:
To be truthful my life can be very stressful at times. But I don’t feel like I have a real “job”. I am so lucky and blessed that I have made my passion my career. Everything I do I’m very passionate about so it makes it feel like it’s not work. I also have an amazing support system that surrounds me my husband gets me through every tough day. And keeps me inspired when I feel overwhelmed.
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Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Paige VanZant:
I of course have a very strict workout regimen. I’m in the gym every day twice a day. Since I have switched over to professional boxing my schedule comprises of boxing every day sometimes twice a day. And strength and conditioning three days a week. I do all of my training at American top team, A world renowned MMA and combat academy.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Paige VanZant:
Dieting is a huge part of being any sort of professional athlete. My husband and I love cooking and we really enjoy making healthy meals together. I like to think of myself as a chef and have competed on many cooking shows. We of course have our occasional cheat day here and there. But once we have a flight scheduled it’s down to business. Then after we fight we go a little bit crazy and eat everything in sight.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Paige VanZant:
Although I am a professional fighter I do love to feel beautiful and take care of myself. Hair masks and face masks are a very frequent part of my week. I love to rest in between practices or after a long day of training with a hair mask a face mask and a glass of wine. I can even get my husband to do a facemask here and there. Kick butt in the gym, relax, pamper and love everywhere else’s.
Namita Nayyar:
On March 8, 2016, you competed on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. You partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. You reached the finals of the show and finished in second place. Tell us more about your experience of featuring in this popular show?
Paige VanZant:
Competing on dancing with the stars by far was one of the greatest experiences I have been able to take part in because of my successful MMA career. I actually grew up dancing and had been away from it for the past 10 years. Being on the show helped me get back in touch with my roots. I absolutely loved my partner Mark Ballas. We are still very good friends and chat every now and then. I would love to be able to compete on the show one more time and redeem myself and my second place trophy. As a professional fighter I really want that first place win.
Namita Nayyar:
Getting injured is part of the profession of an MMA fighter. You pulled out of a fight on 25th September 2017 citing back injury. You faced Jessica Rose-Clark on 14th January 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi and broke your arm in the second round. How you are able to overcome these physical sporting professional injuries and what is your advice to the young MMA fighters, who are inspired by you?
Paige VanZant:
Unfortunately I have had injuries in my career. The most prominent is breaking my right arm in the middle of a fight. I had the strength and willpower to continue and actually won the third round. But that injury set me back with three surgeries to fix the break. Truthfully injuring yourself that many times can cause your mind to weeken. But I go back to you again my amazing support system. My husband kept me training and pushing very hard through every injury I encounter. For young fighters who experience injuries my advice would be to keep your mind busy and heart focused on why you started. And remember fighting is not who you are it is what you do. The light always comes after the darkness.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding MMA girl participants, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of MMA fighting?
Paige VanZant:
To be successful and MMA you have to absolutely love it. And know that if fighting is in your heart that means it’s already a part of you. It runs through your veins. Being a female and a male dominated sport can be very hard. The biggest lessons that I have learned throughout my years in fighting is, know your worth, listen to your gut feeling and never let anybody tell you what you can or cannot do.
Namita Nayyar:
You have released your biography, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life on April 10, 2018. The book details your rise to fame, including your UFC battles, personal battles, and appearances on Dancing with the Stars. Elaborate more about this endeavor of yours, so the viewers are inspired to buy and read this book of yours?
Paige VanZant:
I released a biography a few years ago about a very terrible struggle in my life. I wrote it because I knew that there were other people who were facing demons like I have. I thought it was a very important message to put out to show people that you can go through absolute darkness and still come out to be very successful. We look at celebrities and think that they have it all put together and came from somewhere that we didn’t. I grew up in a single wide mobile home in Dayton Oregon. I struggled with extreme bullying, sexual assault and many other battles. Everybody is facing a war within themselves. It’s about finding your strengths through those times and choosing to rise from the ashes.
Namita Nayyar:
You have done bold photo shoots with Sports Illustrated, Maxim, and many more. How you are so body confident and advice to your compatriots?
Paige VanZant:
I absolutely struggle with body confidence issues. I believe every girl does. My weight can fluctuate 20 pounds in a week because of my career. I try to remember if you ever want to change your mind you have to be willing to be a little uncomfortable. When I get opportunities such as sports illustrated I told myself I may be uncomfortable in the moment but I will love myself for saying yes to the opportunity. Life is way too short to count your flaws. I can’t say it enough that everybody is made beautiful in its own image. A smile is the most beautiful thing you can wear.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Paige VanZant:
I love that woman have a place to turn when trying to improve their health. Taking care of your body from the inside out is a commitment to loving yourself. Health isn’t about looking better it’s about feeling better. Making the most of every day and taking care of the body you were given.
Namita Nayyar:
Today social media plays a vital role in putting your message across to your followers and fans. What is your message for the 2.7 million followers on Instagram?
Paige VanZant:
I just want to say thank you so much to everybody who has supported me over the years my career has been wild to say the least. I can’t wait to share more of my life with you all and I hope that you can send me some words of encouragement as I take on a huge new challenge and bareknuckle boxing.
Paige VanZant Social Media Presence
- Instagram @paigevanzant
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness