Paige VanZant is looking to grapple with every form of combat sport imaginable. The next on her list is Power Slap. The former UFC fighter recently tried her hands at BKFC and boxing. As out-field as it may seem, she says she is ready to do it all. The 30-year-old faces Christine Wolmarans at Power Slap 8 this weekend.
Power Slap (@powerslap) is under the sanctions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. VanZant, who signed with Dana White’s Power Slap promotion, recently took the internet by storm with her debut announcement. She attended the UFC 303 Pre-Fight Media Day, and VanZant, at the tail-end of the presser, was all praises about slap fighting.
I got called if I would do Power Slap. I said absolutely, and that was it. Signed the contract, and here I am to do Power Slap…I think it’s exciting for me because it’s like, listen, I am a gangster. Whether people want to admit it or not, I am here to slap somebody. It doesn’t matter what organization, what combat sport…
Paige VanZant during UFC 303 pre-fight Media Day
VanZant went 8-5 in her MMA run, which took a back burner ever since her split from the UFC in 2020. Since then, she has primarily fought bare-knuckle. However, she recently put the gloves back on for her actual pro boxing debut. She made a mark against influencer-turned-boxer Elle Brooke to a split draw in May. Her slow running and wobbly debut did not win her much favor.
“I am a gangster”: Paige VanZant explains why she’s doing Power Slap on Friday.
“Everybody watches Power Slap. They’ve taken over. Everybody knows what it is.” pic.twitter.com/ibdKwWNEpJ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 27, 2024
She might not have her hand raised a lot, but VanZant says it perfectly fits the narrative of how tough she is. Praising the sport, the star also said she’s ready to take damage and give Power Slap a go many more times. It also lines up with her camp and strength conditioning for actual boxing. She plans to return at year’s end.
Paige VanZant says Power Slap isn’t a touch-and-go gig
VanZant’s debut might not be like the women’s inaugural Power Slap match, reaching insurmountable views. But it could prove ways from being mundane. The South African phenom Wolmarans is on a 0-1 run but boasts of being quite the powerhouse. VanZant, an ex-UFC fighter, feels she is ready.
Paige VanZant in compelling high spirits before Power Slap debut (Source: ringtv.com/rumble.com › c › powerslap)Any way the wind blows, she is determined this won’t be her only time trying this out. Never stopped by strikes-and-parry in her martial arts career, including bare-knuckle boxing, she’s not afraid to take damage.
I look back at my UFC career, my bare-knuckle boxing career…this is like that ultimate test of toughness. Stand there, and..be able to get hit…I still intend to box again at the end of the year. I’m waiting for the date on that. This fits in line with that. I am a woman who does whatever the fu*k I want, and right now I want to do Power Slap.
Paige VanZant during UFC 303 pre-fight Media Day
VanZant made her boxing debut in May. Consequently, she didn’t rematch Brooke as originally planned. But that doesn’t mean she’s abandoned boxing. During this time, Power Slap 8 – Da Hawaiian vs. Van Heerden rolled in. Now, Paige VanZant is out to make her mark at Fontainebleau, South Las Vegas Boulevard, NV, in over a few hours.
