Since leaving the UFC in 2020, Paige VanZant has explored several different avenues of combat sports, with her most recent stint coming in Dana White’s Power Slap.
After leaving the UFC, Paige VanZant admitted that the thing she would miss the most was how the UFC works as a promotion and the ‘machine’ that it is.
Despite that, she recently started working with her former boss Dana White again, as she made her Power Slap debut this past June, picking up a decision win over Christine Wolmarans.
Paige VanZant’s second Power Slap fight ends in a shock result in Abu Dhabi
This Thursday, ahead of the UFC’s blockbuster UFC 308 event in Abu Dhabi, White decided that it was the perfect time to take Power Slap international, as he put on the first event outside of the United States, with Power Slap 9.
Included on the card was ’12-Gauge’ Paige who took on Chelsea Dodson, the wife of UFC legend, John Dodson.
This was Dodson’s first experience in professional combat sports, despite her overall experience in both wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
Heading into the matchup, VanZant was a big favorite to pick up the win having impressed with her first outing earlier this year.
After a solid first round from both females, VanZant was hoping to showcase her experience in the second round by scoring a big knockout blow. Despite that, with her second slap of the contest, the 30-year-old was deemed to have fouled Dodson and was deducted a point for ‘clubbing’.
Now with confidence and momentum heading into the final round, Dodson had the chance to pull off a huge upset. Heading into the final round, VanZant knew that she likely needed a knockout to win the match.
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Unfortunately for the former UFC star, Dodson ate her final slap comfortably and returned a solid slap of her own, resulting in a unanimous draw.
Paige VanZant receives criticism online for multiple fouls as fans react to the result
Since leaving MMA behind, VanZant has competed in Bare-Knuckle boxing, influencer boxing, and now Power Slap. Following her debut, the 30-year-old hinted that she may compete in the sport frequently.
Although she was only deducted one point for clubbing, fans online reacted to the star’s loss, claiming that she committed multiple fouls for ‘flinching’ before absorbing Dodson’s slaps.
One fan commented on X: “Flinch.”
While another also picked up on VanZant’s tendency to lower her head, saying: “Paige VanZant sucks. Get her off Power Slap. Clubbing, flinching, and whatever possible foul you can do, smh.”
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