Paige VanZant: 12 Gauge — Fighter Profile, Career & Legacy
- Dana Black
- May 10
- 11 min read
Introduction
Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant is a former UFC strawweight and flyweight contender (5-4 across 6-year UFC tenure 2014-2020), Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship pioneer (signed three-fight deal in 2020 after UFC release), Misfits Boxing signee (2024), Power Slap competitor (2024), AEW pro wrestler (2021-2022), Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up (May 2016), and one of the most successful UFC-to-OnlyFans athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history. The Dundee, Oregon-born Treigning Lab-trained mixed martial artist — wife of former Bellator welterweight Austin Vanderford, multi-million-dollar OnlyFans entrepreneur since 2022 — has not competed in MMA since UFC 251 in July 2020 (R1 armbar loss to Amanda Ribas) and has not competed in BKFC since July 2021. She is one BKFC fight remaining on her BKFC contract and announced in late 2025 that a gloved boxing match was being finalized. She is widely cited as the foundational figure that the BKFC's mainstream-television breakthrough era was built around — BKFC President David Feldman: 'Although we paid her 10 times what she got paid in the UFC, she moved the needle for us. She was a big-time needle mover for us.'
Contents
Quick Stats
Nickname: 12 Gauge
Age: 32 (born March 26, 1994)
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
Reach: 63" (160 cm)
Weight Class: Strawweight (115 lb), Flyweight (125 lb)
Stance: Orthodox
Team: Treigning Lab (Oregon) / Independent
Pro MMA Record: 8-5 UFC career 5-4 (2014-2020); BKFC 0-2; Misfits Boxing multi-fight deal active
Background
Born Paige Michelle Vanzant on March 26, 1994 in Dundee, Oregon. VanZant grew up in Oregon — attending Sherwood High School and later Newberg High School. She faced significant bullying in high school. She began training in mixed martial arts in her late teens and turned professional in 2012 at age 18 — winning her pro debut against Jordan Gaza at the Pacific Northwest's Tuff-N-Uff promotion.
She signed with the UFC in 2013 at age 19 — making her UFC debut in November 2014 at UFC Fight Night 57 (R3 TKO over Kailin Curran). She competed in the UFC across her championship-era prime years (November 2014 to July 2020) — going 5-4 across nine UFC fights at strawweight and flyweight. She signed a three-fight BKFC deal in 2020 after her UFC release. She has subsequently competed in Power Slap (2024), made multiple AEW pro wrestling appearances (2021-2022), and signed a multi-fight Misfits Boxing deal (2024). She is married to former Bellator welterweight Austin Vanderford (married August 2018) and is based in the Pacific Northwest. She trains at Treigning Lab in Oregon. She is one of the most successful UFC-to-OnlyFans athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history.
Fighting Style
Submission grappling-driven mixed martial arts with championship-pace cardio and elite athletic foundation. VanZant's pattern is textbook 2010s American MMA — championship-pace pressure combined with the highest-output submission attempts of her championship-era prime years, championship-pace striking volume, and a willingness to engage in stand-up exchanges. The R3 armbar of Alex Chambers at UFC 191 (Performance of the Night), the multiple UFC strawweight wins across 2014-2017 (Curran TKO, Herrig UD, Chambers armbar, Rawlings switch-kick KO), and the foundational Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up appearance (which contributed to her UFC pop-culture crossover branding) are the canonical examples of her championship-level fighting arsenal.
Her weakness across her championship-era prime years was wrestling-and-grappling-driven elite-level UFC strawweight title contender takedown defense. The December 2015 UFC FN 80 R5 RNC submission loss to Rose Namajunas, the December 2016 UFC on Fox 22 unanimous-decision loss to Michelle Waterson, the January 2018 UFC FN 124 unanimous-decision loss to Jessica-Rose Clark, the July 2020 UFC 251 R1 armbar submission loss to Amanda Ribas (final UFC career fight), the February 2021 BKFC 16 unanimous-decision loss to Britain Hart (BKFC debut), and the July 2021 BKFC 19 unanimous-decision loss to Rachael Ostovich reflected variations of the same pattern. Within her UFC career championship-era prime years from November 2014 to August 2017, however, her arsenal was the foundational moment of UFC women's strawweight pop-culture branding.
Career Highlights
2012 — Pro MMA debut at Tuff-N-Uff vs Jordan Gaza. Won.
November 2013 — Invicta FC debut.
November 22, 2014 — UFC debut at UFC FN 57 vs Kailin Curran. Won by R3 TKO.
April 18, 2015 — UFC on Fox 15 vs Felice Herrig. Won by unanimous decision.
September 5, 2015 — UFC 191 vs Alex Chambers. Won by R3 armbar; Performance of the Night.
December 10, 2015 — UFC FN 80 vs Rose Namajunas. Lost by R5 RNC submission.
May 2016 — Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up.
August 27, 2016 — UFC on Fox 21 vs Bec Rawlings. Won by R2 switch-kick KO; Performance of the Night.
December 17, 2016 — UFC on Fox 22 vs Michelle Waterson. Lost by unanimous decision.
August 5, 2017 — UFC FN 113 vs Jessica-Rose Clark. Lost by unanimous decision.
November 17, 2017 — UFC FN 122 vs Magana. Won by R2 RNC submission.
August 18, 2018 — UFC FN 135 vs Jessica Eye (flyweight). Won by R3 armbar.
January 14, 2019 — UFC FN 142 vs Rachael Ostovich. Won by R2 armbar.
August 2018 — Married Austin Vanderford.
July 11, 2020 — UFC 251 vs Amanda Ribas. Lost by R1 armbar; final UFC career fight.
February 5, 2021 — BKFC 16 debut vs Britain Hart. Lost by unanimous decision.
July 23, 2021 — BKFC 19 vs Rachael Ostovich. Lost by unanimous decision.
August 2022 — BKFC 27 fight vs Charisa Sigala cancelled (logistical issues).
2021-2022 — Multiple AEW (All Elite Wrestling) appearances.
2022 — Launched OnlyFans account; built multi-million-dollar business.
2024 — Multiple Power Slap appearances.
2024 — Signed multi-fight Misfits Boxing deal; debut vs Elle Brooke.
2025 — Scheduled MMA return at Global Fight League April 2025; cancelled when GFL events collapsed.
Late 2025 — Announced gloved boxing match was being finalized.
2026 — One BKFC fight remaining on contract; future MMA, BKFC, and Misfits Boxing schedule developing.
Notable Fights & Rivalries
vs Rose Namajunas (UFC FN 80, 2015)
VanZant's most-watched UFC career loss. Rose Namajunas — the future two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion — submitted VanZant by R5 RNC at UFC FN 80 on December 10, 2015 in Las Vegas. The result was widely cited as the foundational moment of Namajunas's championship-era prime years' submission grappling dominance and one of the most-replayed UFC women's strawweight finishes of 2015. Namajunas went on to win the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship at UFC 217 in November 2017 over Joanna Jędrzejczyk — and again in 2021. Namajunas-Joanna 2 was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2026, the first women's fight in the HOF.
vs Michelle Waterson (UFC on Fox 22, 2016)
VanZant's most-watched UFC strawweight rivalry. Michelle 'The Karate Hottie' Waterson — UFC women's strawweight contender and former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion — defeated VanZant by unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 22 on December 17, 2016. The result was widely cited as one of the most-watched UFC women's strawweight fights of late 2016 and confirmed Waterson as a top-five UFC women's strawweight contender.
vs Amanda Ribas (UFC 251, 2020)
VanZant's career-ending UFC fight. Amanda Ribas — undefeated Brazilian UFC women's strawweight prospect — submitted VanZant by R1 armbar at UFC 251 on July 11, 2020 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. The result was VanZant's final UFC career fight; she was released from her UFC contract afterward and signed a three-fight BKFC deal. Despite the loss the UFC reportedly offered VanZant a contract extension, but she declined to pursue what she described as 'the next chapter.'
vs Britain Hart and Rachael Ostovich (BKFC, 2021)
VanZant's two-fight BKFC career stretch in 2021. She lost her BKFC debut to Britain Hart by unanimous decision at BKFC 16 on February 5, 2021 in Tampa — the inaugural BKFC pay-per-view event. She lost her second BKFC fight to former UFC strawweight contender Rachael Ostovich by unanimous decision at BKFC 19 on July 23, 2021 in Tampa. The two BKFC losses left VanZant with a 0-2 BKFC record. BKFC President David Feldman has confirmed VanZant has one fight remaining on her BKFC contract and is planning a 2025-2026 BKFC return.
Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up (May 2016)
VanZant's foundational pop-culture crossover moment. She finished runner-up to Nyle DiMarco on Dancing With The Stars Season 22 in May 2016 — competing alongside professional dance partner Mark Ballas. The DWTS appearance was widely cited as the foundational moment of VanZant's UFC pop-culture crossover branding and contributed significantly to her UFC strawweight star power across 2016-2017. She has subsequently used her DWTS pop-culture status to build her multi-platform combat sports and content creator career.
Championships & Accolades
UFC career record: 5-4 across 6-year UFC tenure (November 2014 to July 2020).
Multiple UFC Performance of the Night winner (Alex Chambers R3 armbar UFC 191, Bec Rawlings R2 switch-kick KO UFC on Fox 21).
Career UFC wins over Kailin Curran (R3 TKO), Felice Herrig (UD), Alex Chambers (R3 armbar), Bec Rawlings (R2 switch-kick KO), Magana (R2 RNC), Jessica Eye (R3 armbar), and Rachael Ostovich (R2 armbar).
Final professional MMA record: 8-5 across 8-year MMA career (2012-2020).
Three-fight BKFC contract (2020-present); BKFC record 0-2 (one fight remaining).
Multi-fight Misfits Boxing deal (2024-present).
Multiple Power Slap appearances (2024).
Multiple AEW (All Elite Wrestling) appearances (2021-2022).
Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up (May 2016).
OnlyFans phenomenon — multi-million-dollar business since 2022.
Multi-platform combat sports and content creator brand.
One of the most successful UFC-to-OnlyFans athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history.
Current Status
Active in multi-platform combat sports. VanZant's most recent professional MMA fight was the July 11, 2020 UFC 251 R1 armbar submission loss to Amanda Ribas — making it 5+ years since her last MMA bout. Her most recent BKFC fight was the July 23, 2021 unanimous-decision loss to Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19 — making it 4+ years since her last BKFC bout.
She has been active in Power Slap (Dana White's slap-fighting league) in 2024, AEW pro wrestling appearances (2021-2022), and signed a multi-fight Misfits Boxing deal in 2024 — making her debut against fellow OnlyFans star Elle Brooke. She was scheduled to make her MMA return in April 2025 with the Global Fight League but the GFL events were all cancelled. In late 2025 she announced that a gloved boxing match was being finalized. BKFC President David Feldman has confirmed she has one fight remaining on her BKFC contract: 'There is a very, very good probability that you're going to see Paige VanZant back with BKFC for at least one more fight.' Her OnlyFans business — launched in 2022 — is widely cited as a multi-million-dollar enterprise. She has stated she earned more in 24 hours on OnlyFans than her entire UFC and BKFC fighting career combined. She continues to train at Treigning Lab in Oregon. She is married to former Bellator welterweight Austin Vanderford and is based in the Pacific Northwest. She remains one of the most-watched modern UFC-to-content-creator athlete crossover brands.
Fun Facts
Her nickname '12 Gauge' was given to her by her UFC training team — a reference to her shotgun-like striking power despite her small strawweight frame.
Faced significant bullying in high school — and has openly spoken about how that experience shaped her championship-pace toughness foundation in MMA.
Was a Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up in May 2016 — competing alongside professional dance partner Mark Ballas and finishing second to Nyle DiMarco.
Has stated publicly that she earned more in 24 hours on OnlyFans than her entire UFC and BKFC fighting career combined — making her one of the foundational athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history.
Married former Bellator welterweight Austin Vanderford in August 2018 — making the VanZant-Vanderford household one of the most-watched married MMA couples of the modern era.
Made multiple appearances in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2021 to 2022 — capitalizing on her UFC pop-culture status to enter the world of professional wrestling.
Was the foundational figure that the BKFC's mainstream-television breakthrough era was built around — BKFC President David Feldman has stated: 'Although we paid her 10 times what she got paid in the UFC, she moved the needle for us. She was a big-time needle mover for us.'
Has appeared in multiple Power Slap (Dana White's slap-fighting league) competitions in 2024 — making her one of the only UFC veterans to compete across UFC, BKFC, AEW, Misfits Boxing, and Power Slap.
Trained at Treigning Lab in Oregon — making her one of the foundational Pacific Northwest UFC women's strawweight pop-culture figures of the mid-2010s.
Legacy / Verdict
Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant is one of the most successful UFC-to-OnlyFans athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history and one of the foundational pop-culture crossover figures of UFC's mid-2010s mainstream-television era. The November 2014 UFC FN 57 R3 TKO debut over Kailin Curran, the September 2015 UFC 191 R3 armbar Performance of the Night over Alex Chambers, the August 2016 UFC on Fox 21 R2 switch-kick KO Performance of the Night over Bec Rawlings, the May 2016 Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up appearance, the multiple AEW pro wrestling appearances (2021-2022), the BKFC three-fight deal pioneer status, the Misfits Boxing multi-fight deal, the multiple Power Slap appearances, and the multi-million-dollar OnlyFans business launched in 2022 together place her in the conversation for most foundational UFC-to-multi-platform-combat-sports athlete-content-creator transitions in modern history. The Treigning Lab Oregon training base and the Austin Vanderford married-MMA-couple household are foundational personal context for her championship-era prime years.
What complicates the legacy is the post-2017 stretch — the multiple decision losses to top UFC women's strawweight contenders (Namajunas UFC FN 80 December 2015, Waterson UFC on Fox 22 December 2016, Clark UFC FN 124 January 2018, Ribas UFC 251 July 2020), the BKFC 0-2 record from 2021 (Hart and Ostovich), and the multiple cancelled BKFC and GFL fights across 2022-2025. The competitive resume is permanent and the championship-era prime years are settled. The legacy as one of the most successful UFC-to-OnlyFans athlete-content-creator transitions and the foundational figure that the BKFC's mainstream-television breakthrough era was built around is permanent — and the late-2025 gloved boxing match announcement plus the one BKFC contract fight remaining represent the still-developing post-UFC chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paige VanZant still fighting?
She has not officially retired but has not competed in MMA since UFC 251 in July 2020 and has not competed in BKFC since July 2021. BKFC President David Feldman has confirmed she has one fight remaining on her BKFC contract and has stated 'There is a very, very good probability that you're going to see Paige VanZant back with BKFC for at least one more fight.' She announced in late 2025 that a gloved boxing match was being finalized and was scheduled to make her MMA return in April 2025 with the Global Fight League — but the GFL events were all cancelled. She has multi-fight deals active with both BKFC and Misfits Boxing.
What is Paige VanZant's UFC record?
Five wins and four losses across her UFC tenure from November 2014 to July 2020 — six years and nine fights. Her UFC debut was a R3 TKO win over Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night 57 (November 2014). Her career UFC wins include Felice Herrig, Alex Chambers (R3 armbar — earned her Performance of the Night bonus), Bec Rawlings, and Rachael Ostovich. Her UFC losses came to Rose Namajunas (UFC FN 80 December 2015), Michelle Waterson (UFC on Fox 22 December 2016), Jessica-Rose Clark (UFC FN 124 January 2018), and Amanda Ribas (UFC 251 July 2020 R1 armbar — final UFC fight).
How much does Paige VanZant make on OnlyFans?
She has stated publicly that she earned more in 24 hours on OnlyFans than her entire UFC and BKFC fighting career combined — and her OnlyFans business is widely cited as a multi-million-dollar enterprise. Speaking on the Only Stans podcast: 'I think I made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans than I had in my entire fighting career combined.' She launched her OnlyFans account in 2022 and has built it into one of the most successful athlete-content-creator transitions in modern combat sports history.
What style does Paige VanZant fight?
Submission grappling-driven mixed martial arts with championship-pace cardio and elite athletic foundation. VanZant's pattern is textbook 2010s American MMA — championship-pace pressure combined with the highest-output submission attempts of her championship-era prime years and a willingness to engage in stand-up exchanges. The R3 armbar of Alex Chambers at UFC 191 (Performance of the Night), her UFC strawweight tenure across 2014-2017, and the foundational Dancing With The Stars Season 22 runner-up appearance are the canonical examples of her championship-level fighting arsenal and pop-culture crossover branding.
Where is Paige VanZant from?
Born Paige Michelle Vanzant on March 26, 1994 in Dundee, Oregon. She grew up in Oregon and attended Sherwood High School and Newberg High School. She trained at Treigning Lab in Oregon. She is married to former Bellator welterweight Austin Vanderford (married August 2018). She is based in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
Did Paige VanZant do pro wrestling?
Yes — she made multiple appearances in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2021 to 2022 — capitalizing on her UFC pop-culture status to enter the world of professional wrestling. She also competed in Power Slap (Dana White's slap-fighting league) in 2024 with multiple appearances. She signed a multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing in 2024 and made her Misfits Boxing debut against fellow OnlyFans star Elle Brooke.
References
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