After years as one of the biggest stars in women’s MMA, Paige VanZant finally started making major money when she left the UFC in 2020.
But after a run of BKFC fights and a stint with AEW in the professional wrestling world, she has found herself out of action for the last three years. In the meantime, VanZant has made millions through different means outside of the ring, all while honing her boxing skills.
She will return to action tonight in an historic Misfits Boxing main event against Elle Brooke in Houston, Texas. After 15 events, the promotion will finally headline with a women’s fight as the Brit puts her 125lb belt on the line against the debuting VanZant.
Paige VanZant dismisses financial talk as she insists she would fight for free
The former UFC star has never been shy to talk about her various income streams that include social media and a fan subscription service. But she has chosen to be more conservative with disclosing her earnings in recent times, opting to divert from the conversation in pre-fight interviews.
And she claims that she would be willing to fight for free, given her passion for combat sports that started with an amateur career in her teens. “I don’t look at my bank account,” she told The Sun ahead of her fighting return.
“I have a financial advisor, so I honestly have no idea how much money I have! I know that I like to work out, I like to work hard, I like to win fights to be successful and I like to take care of those around me.
“As long as I’m continuing to do what I love, for me it’s just background noise. And of course, it’s a benefit to me I get to call what I love a career and it can support me financially. But I would be doing this for free. It’s what I find fun.”
Paige VanZant eyeing future boxing fights as she pens multi-fight Misfits deal
While Brooke has threatened to force VanZant back into MMA with a stoppage win, the American is expecting to kick off a boxing run with tonight’s fight. She has signed a multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing, and plans to leave Houston with their middleweight belt.
“Every single fight I’ve had there’s some new element of whatever the media wants to make the narrative,” she explained on The MMA Hour this week. “It’s just another narrative that I’m going into it with.
“For me, I’m going into this not like I’m fighting an influencer but like I’m fighting a professional boxer. This is the first of many, I’m training to go in there and knock somebody out and it’s no different to fighting Felice Herrig.”