UFC women’s strawweight division has a new star. Paige VanZant was cast to determine the inaugural women’s 115-pound champion because of her age, but with alcohol present in her system, the 20-year-old wasn’t allowed to participate in the “A Champion Will Be Crowned” season.
She was initially signed by the organization in December 2013 to be part of the reality series. Instead, she made her promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 57 against Kailin Curran on Saturday. While their fight didn’t make the FOX Sports 1 broadcast, it won Fight of the Night honors.
“Going into it, I always get nervous before I perform,” said VanZant. “Once I walk out to the cage, all the nerves set in. I’m used to being under pressure. Luckily, I perform really well under pressure. And what a way to kick off my UFC debut with a bonus. “I’m completely in awe still. I’m in shock,” she added. h/t yahoo!
A $50,000 bonus in your UFC debut has to be the equivalent of hitting a grand slam in your first at bat in the majors. VanZant, who broke down in tears following her TKO win, was still in shock during the post-fight press conference.
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