VIDEO: Paige VanZant makes Powerslap debut with a win

LockerRoom Team

29 Jun 2024

Paige VanZant, renowned for her career in UFC and BKFC, has finally broken her losing streak, claiming her first combat sports win since 2019. VanZant achieved a decisive victory in her slap fighting debut, winning against Christine Wolmarans at Power Slap 8 on Friday.

VanZant, 30, dominated the match, scoring two knockdowns in the three-round bout. Her powerful second and third slaps sent Wolmarans to the ground. Despite a flinching foul by VanZant in the third round, which gave Wolmarans an additional attempt, Wolmarans struggled to mount any significant offense.

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The judges' unanimous decision reflected VanZant's dominance, with all three scoring the match 30-25 in her favor.

“Honestly, it was absolutely incredible,” VanZant expressed. “Of course I wanted to knock her out with the first slap, but I’m so happy that it went the way that it did. I knew I could take a punch, I knew I could take a slap. That was really fun.”

Before this win, VanZant had faced a series of setbacks. Her last victory came in 2019 when she submitted Rachael Ostovich with an armbar in the UFC. Following that, she experienced a first-round loss to Amanda Ribas in her final UFC fight and two consecutive decision losses in bare-knuckle boxing against Britain Hart and Ostovich. Most recently, she fought to a split draw in an influencer boxing match against Elle Brooke, having suffered an early knockdown.

Now back in the winner's circle, VanZant hinted that her slap fighting debut is just the beginning. “This is too much fun to walk away from,” she remarked.