What Is Paige VanZant’s Net Worth?
Paige VanZant, a multifaceted personality known for her ventures in mixed martial arts, bare-knuckle boxing, professional wrestling, modeling, and her online presence, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $2 million. Her income streams are diverse, stemming from her fighting career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), appearances in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and media engagements, including participation in television shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “Chopped.” It’s notable that a significant portion of her earnings now comes from her OnlyFans account, which, as she stated in a November 2023 interview, generated more revenue in a single day than her entire UFC career.
Early Life and Transition to Fighting
Born Paige Sletten on March 26, 1994, in Dundee, Oregon, VanZant’s upbringing in Sherwood was steeped in dance, thanks to her parents’ ownership of a dance studio. She trained in ballet and hip hop, nurturing a background in movement and performance. Beyond dance, she enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing and dirt bike riding. Facing bullying in high school due to her surname, she legally changed it to VanZant, adopting the name of one of her mother’s students. This marked a personal turning point as she sought to redefine her identity. The family’s move to Sparks, Nevada, led her to UFC veteran Ken Shamrock’s gym, where she began training in boxing and martial arts. This transition signified her foray into combat sports, building a foundation for her professional career.
Mixed Martial Arts Career Details
VanZant’s professional MMA debut occurred in 2012 at UWF’s “Tournament of Warriors” finale, where she secured a split decision victory against Jordan Nicole. She followed this with a unanimous decision win against Amber Stautzenberger. Her first career defeat came in early 2013 at Invicta FC 4, losing to Tecia Torres. In late 2013, VanZant signed with the UFC to compete in its newly created strawweight division. Her UFC debut in late 2014 saw her defeat Kailin Curran by TKO. In 2015, she continued her UFC journey with victories over Felice Herrig and Alex Chambers before losing to Rose Namajunas at the end of the year. 2016 saw VanZant knock out Bec Rawlings and lose to Michelle Waterson. In the summer of 2017, VanZant shifted to the flyweight division. After withdrawing from a scheduled fight in September due to various health issues, she debuted in the flyweight division in early 2018 against Jessica Rose-Clark, losing the bout and suffering a broken arm that sidelined her for a year. Upon her return in early 2019, she faced Rachael Ostovich, securing a win via armbar submission. Subsequently, ongoing arm problems hampered her competition schedule. She returned in the summer of 2020 at UFC 251 to fight Amanda Ribas, losing in the first round.
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) Career
In August 2020, VanZant entered into a four-fight contract with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Her debut for the promotion took place in early 2021 as the main event of BKFC: Knucklemania, where she was defeated by Britain Hart. In July at BKFC 19, VanZant faced her former UFC opponent Rachael Ostovich, experiencing another defeat. The financial details of her BKFC contract weren’t disclosed publicly, but the move represented a significant career shift and a new income opportunity.
Professional Wrestling Career in AEW
VanZant transitioned into professional wrestling in September 2021, making her debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She initially appeared on AEW’s “Dynamite” television show, aligning herself with fighters from the American Top Team. In 2022, VanZant officially signed with AEW and made her in-ring debut at Double or Nothing. At this event, she teamed with Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky, competing against Tay Conti, Sammy Guevara, and Frankie Kazarian, with VanZant’s team ultimately achieving victory. The specific terms of her AEW contract were not publicly released, but her entry into professional wrestling broadened her entertainment portfolio and added to her income streams.
Other Media Appearances: “Dancing with the Stars” and “Chopped”
Beyond her combat sports and wrestling endeavors, VanZant broadened her public profile through appearances on television shows. In 2016, she participated in season 22 of the dance competition series “Dancing with the Stars.” Paired with professional dance partner Mark Ballas, she showcased her dance skills, ultimately finishing in second place. This exposure enhanced her mainstream recognition. The next year, VanZant was one of 16 celebrity contestants on the Food Network cooking game show “Chopped.” Demonstrating her culinary abilities, she emerged victorious, edging out Olympic figure skating champion Dorothy Hamill to win the top prize. These media appearances contributed to her brand visibility and potential endorsement opportunities.
OnlyFans Earnings and Modeling Career
VanZant’s modeling career includes appearances in advertisements for well-known brands such as Nike and Columbia Sportswear. These endorsements leveraged her public image and physical fitness. In 2018, she openly discussed her breast augmentation, stating that she chose to undergo the procedure because her breasts “never came,” so she “bought them.” This decision aligned with her personal preferences and contributed to her confidence in her modeling and public appearances. VanZant also maintains a popular OnlyFans account, where she shares exclusive content with her subscribers. In a 2023 interview, she stated that she earned more money in a single day on OnlyFans than she made throughout her entire fighting career. While exact figures aren’t publicly available, this statement underscores the significant financial impact of her OnlyFans presence.
Personal Life and Published Work
In 2018, VanZant married Austin Vanderford, a fellow professional mixed martial artist. Their shared profession creates a mutual understanding and support system. Also in 2018, she released her autobiography titled “Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life.” The book provides insights into her life, career challenges, and personal experiences, offering a deeper connection with her fans and followers. The sales figures for the book weren’t publicly disclosed, but it represented a personal milestone and another facet of her career.