Paige VanZant: The Crossover Queen Who Brought Mainstream Eyes to Bare Knuckle
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paige Sletten (legally changed to Paige VanZant) |
| Nickname | 12 Gauge |
| Born | March 26, 1994 |
| Hometown | Dayton, Oregon, USA |
| Height | 5'4" (163 cm) |
| Weight Class | Flyweight / Strawweight |
| UFC Record | 8-5-0 |
| BKFC Record | 0-2 |
| Notable | Dancing with the Stars Season 22 runner-up; bestselling author |
| Active Promotions | BKFC, Power Slap, Misfits Boxing |
Overview
Few names in modern combat sports carry the cultural weight of Paige VanZant. A former UFC flyweight contender who became a household name through a combination of octagon violence and mainstream media crossovers, VanZant made one of the most high-profile transitions in bare knuckle history when she signed with BKFC in 2020. Her arrival did not produce the results fans expected inside the ring, but it accomplished something arguably more important: it put bare knuckle fighting on the front pages of sports media outlets that had never covered the sport before.
VanZant is not defined by her win-loss record in bare knuckle. She is defined by what she represents -- the moment when bare knuckle fighting stopped being a niche curiosity and became a viable destination for mainstream combat sports athletes. Every major crossover signing that followed owes a debt to the trail she blazed.
Background
Early Life and Adversity
Paige was born in Dundee, Oregon, and raised in the small town of Dayton, near Portland. Her parents owned a dance studio, and she trained in ballet, jazz, and hip hop for over thirteen years before ever throwing a punch. That dance background would later translate into footwork and movement that set her apart in MMA.
But VanZant's early years were marked by severe adversity. She endured relentless bullying throughout high school, including peers who mocked her birth surname, Sletten, twisting it into cruel variations. The bullying was so severe that she ate lunch alone in the bathroom to avoid her tormentors. She was sexually assaulted at the age of fourteen. The trauma drove her to legally change her surname and channel her pain into combat sports.
She detailed these experiences in her 2018 autobiography, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life, which became a bestseller and cemented her status as one of the most candid voices in professional fighting.
The Road to MMA
VanZant began training in MMA as a teenager, drawn to the discipline and physicality as an outlet for the rage and hurt she carried. She turned professional at just eighteen years old, fighting on regional circuits before catching the attention of the UFC.
Career
UFC Years (2014-2020)
VanZant made her UFC debut on November 22, 2014, defeating Kailin Curran by TKO in the third round in a fight that earned Fight of the Night honors. At just twenty years old, she announced herself as a fighter worth watching -- aggressive, fearless, and willing to absorb punishment to deliver her own.
Her early UFC run was electrifying. A unanimous decision win over Felice Herrig in 2015 showcased her grappling, followed by a submission victory over Alex Chambers via armbar. The defining moment of her UFC career came in 2016 when she knocked out Bec Rawlings with a devastating flying head kick, earning her first Performance of the Night bonus and generating highlight reels that circulated across mainstream sports media for weeks.
That same year, VanZant was selected for Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with professional dancer Mark Ballas. She finished as the runner-up, losing the finale to model Nyle DiMarco. The exposure was massive, transforming her from a UFC fighter into a legitimate pop culture figure with crossover appeal that few fighters have ever achieved.
Her later UFC career was marked by injuries, including a broken arm suffered against Jessica-Rose Clark in 2018 that required surgery. She closed out her UFC tenure with a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in July 2020, finishing her octagon career at 8-5.
The BKFC Signing
In August 2020, VanZant signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with BKFC, reportedly worth significantly more than her UFC contract. The signing was a watershed moment for bare knuckle fighting. Major sports outlets -- ESPN, Fox Sports, Bleacher Report -- covered the announcement, bringing unprecedented mainstream attention to BKFC and the bare knuckle world.
BKFC Debut: KnuckleMania (February 2021)
VanZant made her bare knuckle debut at BKFC KnuckleMania on February 5, 2021, facing Britain Hart. The result was a unanimous decision loss. Hart's experience in bare knuckle proved decisive, as she outworked VanZant throughout the fight. It was a sobering introduction to the brutal realities of fighting without gloves.
BKFC 19: Ostovich Rematch (July 2021)
Her second BKFC appearance came against Rachael Ostovich, a fighter she had previously defeated in the UFC. The rematch under bare knuckle rules did not go VanZant's way, as Ostovich won a unanimous decision. The back-to-back losses prompted questions about VanZant's future in the sport.
Multi-Discipline Crossovers (2022-Present)
VanZant has since expanded into multiple combat formats. She made her professional boxing debut with Misfits Boxing in May 2024 against influencer Elle Brooke, fighting to a split draw. She also competed in Power Slap, facing Chelsea Dodson at Power Slap 9 in October 2024, which also ended in a draw.
BKFC president Dave Feldman has maintained that VanZant remains a key part of the promotion's plans, and discussions about a BKFC return have continued into 2025.
Fighting Style
VanZant's fighting style was forged in MMA, where she relied on aggressive forward pressure, creative striking, and a willingness to engage in grappling exchanges. Her dance background gave her natural coordination and footwork that translated well into the octagon.
In the bare knuckle context, however, her MMA-based approach exposed certain vulnerabilities. Without the padding of gloves, the margin for error in striking exchanges narrows dramatically. VanZant's tendency to lead with volume rather than precision proved costly against more experienced bare knuckle practitioners who understood the importance of accuracy over activity.
Her toughness has never been questioned. In both BKFC bouts, she absorbed significant punishment and continued pressing forward, refusing to wilt under pressure. The adjustment from MMA to pure bare knuckle striking is one of the most difficult transitions in combat sports, and VanZant's willingness to make that leap speaks to her competitive nature.
Notable Fights
- vs. Kailin Curran (UFC, Nov 2014) -- UFC debut, TKO victory in Round 3, Fight of the Night honors
- vs. Bec Rawlings (UFC, Aug 2016) -- Flying head kick KO in Round 2, Performance of the Night
- vs. Britain Hart (BKFC KnuckleMania, Feb 2021) -- BKFC debut, lost by unanimous decision
- vs. Rachael Ostovich (BKFC 19, Jul 2021) -- Lost by unanimous decision in rematch of earlier UFC bout
- vs. Elle Brooke (Misfits Boxing, May 2024) -- Professional boxing debut, split draw
Legacy
The Bare Knuckle Ambassador
VanZant's legacy in bare knuckle fighting is paradoxical. She has yet to win a BKFC bout, yet her impact on the sport's visibility is undeniable. Before her signing, BKFC was growing steadily but remained largely unknown to casual sports fans. Her arrival brought the kind of media coverage that money alone cannot buy. Every mainstream sports journalist who wrote about VanZant's BKFC signing was, for the first time, writing about bare knuckle fighting for an audience that had never considered the sport.
Beyond the Record
VanZant's influence extends beyond fight results. Her openness about trauma, bullying, and sexual assault has made her one of the most relatable figures in combat sports. Her autobiography, Rise, continues to resonate with fans who see in her story a reflection of their own struggles.
She demonstrated that bare knuckle fighting could attract top-tier talent from traditional combat sports, paving the way for later crossover fighters who followed her to BKFC. Whether she ever captures a bare knuckle victory is almost secondary to the doors she opened simply by showing up.
Media and Cultural Impact
With millions of social media followers and a resume that spans UFC, BKFC, Dancing with the Stars, Power Slap, and professional boxing, VanZant is the most multi-platform combat sports personality of her generation. She proved that a fighter's value is not solely measured in wins and losses, but in the attention and legitimacy they bring to the organizations they represent.
FAQ
What is Paige VanZant's BKFC record? VanZant's BKFC record stands at 0-2, with unanimous decision losses to Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich.
Why did Paige VanZant leave the UFC? VanZant's UFC contract expired after her loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in July 2020. She opted not to re-sign, citing the significantly higher financial offer from BKFC.
What is Paige VanZant's real name? She was born Paige Sletten in Dundee, Oregon. She legally changed her surname to VanZant due to bullying she experienced in high school.
Was Paige VanZant on Dancing with the Stars? Yes, VanZant competed on Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars in 2016, finishing as the runner-up with professional partner Mark Ballas.
Will Paige VanZant return to BKFC? As of early 2025, BKFC president Dave Feldman has confirmed that VanZant remains part of the promotion's plans and discussions about future bouts are ongoing.
What is Paige VanZant's book about? Her autobiography, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life (2018), details her experiences with bullying, sexual assault, and her journey from adversity to UFC stardom.