These days, MMA Fighter and entrepreneur Paige VanZant’s business interests outside the cage have far eclipsed her accomplishments in it. Since leaving the UFC, VanZant told The Fighter vs The Writer, she signed up with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where she became a millionaire.
“I’m fortunate enough, I did build my name up. I know how hard I worked in the UFC and I know how much dedication I had. I did all the appearances nobody else wanted to do. I traveled the world.
Paige VanZant: Leaving the UFC Was Her Greatest Career Move
Every weekend, I was in a different state doing appearances. I was fortunate enough, I did have that grind mentality to build my name up. I did social media, ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ really did what I could to build myself as a business and as a brand.
So then when my contract ended with the UFC, I was able to go out there and be fortunate enough to sign with BKFC. They offered me a great contract. It opened the doors to all these other things that I wasn’t really able to do when I was with the UFC.”
VanZant built her public profile with nine fights in the UFC, but her fortunes in the Octagon dwindled toward the end of her contract. Success on other platforms, including Instagram, Dancing with the Stars, and OnlyFans, led VanZant to pursue business elsewhere. A less restrictive contract with BKFC than the UFC was offering was only the first step.
“Of course, I love the UFC. I love the organization. There’s a reason they are as successful as they are. There’s a reason they were able to get to this level. They have a well-oiled machine and they’re very, very good at it.
But I know in my heart that I will never fight for them again, just because they don’t pay enough. I don’t see the benefit of going back to the UFC. Right now, I’m fortunate enough, I built myself up to a specific place and I can take that and use it wherever I go.”
VanZant is now in the financial position to do whatever she wants, whether that’s more time in MMA, a switch to pro wrestling, or both.
“I want to fight for AEW. I want to fight for BKFC. Contract is open-ended so I could still do MMA at the same time. I love MMA and I know my door’s definitely not closed on MMA, but at the same time, my passion really is pro wrestling and bare-knuckle boxing right now.”
