After making her professional MMA debut as a teenager, VanZant's rise has been swift. She was one of 11 women signed to the UFC's newly created Strawweight division and made her UFC debut against Kailin Curran.
After making her professional MMA debut as a teenager, VanZant's rise has been swift. She was one of 11 women signed to the UFC's newly created Strawweight division and made her UFC debut against Kailin Curran.
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After only one UFC fight, in February 2015, VanZant became only the sixth UFC fighter to land an individualized Reebok deal -- a signing that was criticized by other UFC fighters.
After only one UFC fight, in February 2015, VanZant became only the sixth UFC fighter to land an individualized Reebok deal -- a signing that was criticized by other UFC fighters.
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VanZant has spoken openly about the pay gap that exists in the UFC. She admitted to being paid more for her sponsored Instagram posts than fighting in the UFC.
VanZant has spoken openly about the pay gap that exists in the UFC. She admitted to being paid more for her sponsored Instagram posts than fighting in the UFC.
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"I genuinely believe -- and I don't know if we're ever going to get a true answer from the promotional companies -- that the women outsell the male fighters," VanZant said. CNN has requested figures from UFC on how receipts compare between female and male fighters but has not received a response at the time of publication.
"I genuinely believe -- and I don't know if we're ever going to get a true answer from the promotional companies -- that the women outsell the male fighters," VanZant said. CNN has requested figures from UFC on how receipts compare between female and male fighters but has not received a response at the time of publication.
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Outside of the UFC, VanZant has made appearances on <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> and <em>Chopped</em> and has amassed over two million Instagram followers. Alongside husband and fellow MMA fighter Austin Vanderford, they have become MMA's premiere power couple.
Outside of the UFC, VanZant has made appearances on Dancing with the Stars and Chopped and has amassed over two million Instagram followers. Alongside husband and fellow MMA fighter Austin Vanderford, they have become MMA's premiere power couple.
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After being a victim of bullying at various points in her upbringing, VanZant says she has used MMA fighting as her way of "fighting back."
After being a victim of bullying at various points in her upbringing, VanZant says she has used MMA fighting as her way of "fighting back."
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VanZant made her return from her first broken arm against Rachael Ostovich on January 19, 2019 -- she won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.
VanZant made her return from her first broken arm against Rachael Ostovich on January 19, 2019 -- she won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.
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Although she had been hoping to return to the Octogan in the summer, VanZant suffered yet another injury setback, discovering she needed more arm surgery. She has only recently returned to training.
Although she had been hoping to return to the Octogan in the summer, VanZant suffered yet another injury setback, discovering she needed more arm surgery. She has only recently returned to training.
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