LAS VEGAS – If Paige VanZant has her way, she'll be returning to backslap fighting sooner rather than later. The former UFC star believes the sport has a legitimate future.
Making her power slap debut last Friday at the Fontainebleau Hotel & Casino, VanZant defeated Kristin Wolmarans by unanimous decision after three rounds of defenselessly slapping each other in the face. VanZant's foray into power slap (owned by Dana White and the UFC) has been derided by critics as the latest in a series of wacky career developments since leaving the UFC, which have included bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC, pro wrestling with AEW, influencer boxing and now slap fighting.
Now that she's won one contest, VanZant is emboldened to make the most of the Power Slap.
“I've told everybody, and everybody should know that I'm tough as hell,” VanZant told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after her win. “I've been from UFC to bare knuckle boxing to boxing to power slapping to wrestling. I just want to fight. I've had a really great time in this business. I think they definitely want me back, so I think I have a future here. I just want to fight, enjoy life and show off how tough I am.”
VanZant said she's able to do power slap “a lot more frequently than any other sport,” mainly because she doesn't have to cut weight.
“I don't think you need to lose weight because of brain dehydration,” VanZant said, “…it does affect the brain. If you eat Slurps and eat them on the spot, you're going to get as much fluid as you can to your brain.”
When VanZant signed with BKFC in August 2020 after leaving UFC, critics questioned why she would do such a thing. Her signing sparked significant interest in BKFC and helped the promotion grow into an attractive option for mixed martial artists.
She believes she can do the same with Power Slap.
“When I moved from UFC to bare knuckle boxing, I had the exact same feeling as when I came to Power Slap,” VanZant said. “I don't think anybody expected it. BKFC wasn't the powerhouse it is now, so I think it sparked a lot of interest from people moving to BKFC. I think I'll do the exact same thing with Power Slap. You never know until you find out, but right now I want everyone to know that I belong here and that I want to do some crazy stuff.”
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