Paige VanZant believes her ability to change sports is a testament to her toughness.
The 30-year-old made her name in the UFC before leaving in 2020 and signing a lucrative deal worth $1.2million with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
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After two fights with the bare-knuckle boxing promotion co-owned by Conor McGregor, '12 Gauge' put on the gloves for a traditional boxing bout with Elle Brooke in May, which didn't go to plan as she was dropped by the fight novice.
In June, she shocked everyone by announcing that she will debut in a new sport against ChristineWolmarans at Power Slap 8 on June 28.
Dana White’s slap fighting league, which is the controversial sports leading organisation, is licensed and sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
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It sees competitors take turns to slap each other in the face without any proper defence. A winner is declared if their opponent gives up or gets knocked out.
If both fighters are still standing after five rounds, a winner is decided by judges, which makes it a similar format VanZant has experienced in MMA, boxing, and bare-knuckle.
The OnlyFans millionaire has baffled some fans with her latest career move, but she insists it makes perfect sense as she is willing to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere, under any rule set.
“I got called [and asked] if I would do Power Slap,” VanZant said during a pre-fight press conference on Wednesday.
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“I said absolutely, and that was it. Signed the contract, and here I am to do Power Slap.”
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“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 organisation, what combat sport, I’m here to take over and have some fun.”
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Win, lose or draw, VanZant has always had the heart of a fighter.
The American wants to come through the ‘ultimate test of toughness’ before booking a boxing rematch with Brooke, who earned a surprise draw when they boxed last month.
VanZant added: “I look back at my UFC career, my bare-knuckle boxing career, everything that I’ve done, you can’t take away how tough I am."
“This is like that ultimate test of toughness. Stand there, and you’ve got to be able to have the balls to be able to get hit.”
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“I think for me the narrative right now perfectly falls in line with continuing to do Power Slap alongside doing my boxing.
“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.
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“It’s preparation, it’s preparing to cause damage and try not to take damage, but inevitably in Power Slap, you’re going to get hit. So, who knows?
“I am a woman who does whatever the f*** I want, and right now I want to do Power Slap.”
