Paige VanZant, after an unexpected call from Dana White, competed in and won her first Power Slap match, found the experience enjoyable, and is open to future participation despite her primary income coming from other ventures like OnlyFans and real estate.
Truth be told, Paige VanZant didn’t really expect to compete in Power Slap. That is, until she got a call from Dana White asking if she was seriously interested.
The conversation began after VanZant told her manager she would actually participate in the slap-fighting league started by the UFC CEO. Not long after she spoke to White on the phone, VanZant had a contract sent to her inbox.
“My manager, I don’t even know how it happened, we were talking about Power Slap, how crazy it was,” VanZant told MMA Fighting. “We were at lunch and I was like, ‘Well, yeah, I would do it.’ He’s like, ‘No,’ and I said, ‘No, seriously, I would.’ Then all of sudden, I talked to Dana on the phone about it.”
“I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ I got the contract that same week and then found out they wanted me on the Vegas card. It was two weeks away.”
“I was like, there’s no time like the present,” she continued. “I don’t have time to stress about it or really get too nervous. I wanted to be thrown into the fire.”
“Honestly,” she added with a grin, “it was the best-case scenario.”
VanZant ultimately won her match by unanimous decision. Scoring works similarly to MMA — except in slap-fighting each participant gets one slap per round.
While she didn’t score a knockout, VanZant dropped opponent Christine Wolmarans twice during the match. The judges didn’t have a tough time handing the win to the ex-UFC fighter.
When the match started, VanZant admits she actually wanted to get slapped first just so she could experience the feeling. Instead delivered the first blow but was surprised when Wolmarans returned it.
VanZant smiled back after getting cracked across the face.
“It was weird to stand there with your hands behind your back,” VanZant said. “I just stood there praying—let me eat this.”
“Once I took the first one,” she added confidently, “I had all the confidence in the world.”
“I was nervous going into it,” VanZant admitted. “But it’s more like just nerves that I don’t want to get knocked out.” Because you just don’t know what to expect.
“That’s really the only bad-case scenario that can happen.” After taking that first slap? She knew she’d win.
Paige says three shots from Wolmarans don’t compare to a punch from her second BKFC fight.
“I honestly didn’t [get hurt],” VanZant said.
More of a sting than anything else.
“It felt impactful but not as bad as bare-knuckle boxing.”
“In my fight with Rachael Ostovich,” Paige recalled,
“I lost vision for a moment after an overhand right.”
“Had to hold onto her until my mind cleared.”
“With Power Slap?” She never felt dazed.
Following her match…
VanZant said she’d entertain another go at Power Slap.
She hasn’t changed her mind now that adrenaline’s gone.
No discussions yet with White about returning.
But she’s keen.
“Looking back at everything…” Paige said,
“I enjoyed every bit.”
Her opponent? Super nice.
The whole process? Way more relaxed than MMA or boxing.
So why wouldn’t she do it again?
“I’m hoping they make an offer.”
Initially thought it’d be a one-time bucket list thing.
Now? She’s hooked!
With potential for another Power Slap outing…
Plus rematch against Elle Brooke before year’s end…
And one more BKFC fight left…
Paige has options galore!
Before Power Slap…
She called fighting her “part-time job” in TMZ story.
Thanks largely due financial windfall from OnlyFans page.
Addressing that comment:
Started as joke after grueling five-round MMA session at American Top Team in Florida.
Vomiting into trash can… gym owner Dan Lambert joked,
“Crazy you picked this as part-time job.”
To clarify:
Fighting isn’t hobby or part-time job outside primary income source context.
“My main sources of income don’t come from fighting,”
Paige explained,
Income comes from investments,
Real estate portfolio,
OnlyFans,
Endorsements…
So technically fighting is part-time job now
Just because it’s lower income source doesn’t mean minimal effort
Same hours put in
Just not as lucrative compared other ventures
Doesn’t mean lack love or dedication
As far as next combat sport?
Leaving options open
“There’s opportunities all over,” Paige said,
“To capitalize and make most money.”
For her?
It’s all about competition love
Whether MMA,
Boxing,
Bare-knuckle boxing,
Or Power Slap…
She’ll go where business makes sense financially
And gets excited!