Paige VanZant
As problems go, Paige VanZant has a pretty good one. At 21, and with just five professional fights to her credit, she finds herself with opportunities that most female fighters would kill for.
She’s got an endorsement deal with Reebok. She’s kicking off the main card of UFC on FOX 15 oppositeFelice Herrig. She’s got all the pieces in play to become one of the women’s division’s precious few well-paid superstars – if only she can win a few fights.
And see, that’s where the problem comes in. As nice as the Reebok money and the main card spot must be, it’s hard not to feel like they aren’t exactly justified by her accomplishments inside the cage.
In part, that’s because her cage time has been so limited. She’s only had one fight in the UFC, on the prelims. The most recognizable opponent she’s faced so far – Tecia Torres – accounts for her lone loss. Her four wins? They came against opponents who are a combined 10-8, if their Sherdog recordscan be believed. No other fighter on the main card is as inexperienced as she is. No one’s even really close.
In short, while VanZant may very well turn out to be a fantastic fighter deserving of big endorsement deals and network TV exposure, she hasn’t made that case yet.
This is not lost on her peers. Other female fighters, especially ones who have been at this for a while? They see the two pretty blonde girls on the UFC on FOX 15 poster and they know what the score is.
On Paige VanZant, and the problem with being one of the ‘hot girls’ in women’s MMA | MMAjunkie
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