I do ‘whatever the f*ck I want’

LAS VEGAS – Paige VanZant intends to proceed competing in a number of fight sports activities, together with slap preventing.

VanZant signed, who signed with Dana White’s Energy Slap promotion, makes her slap preventing debut Friday on the UFC Apex towards Christine Wolmarans, an 0-1 slap fighter from South Africa. A former UFC fighter, VanZant mentioned she was approached with the concept of becoming a member of Energy Slap, which she welcomed with open arms.

“I received known as if I might do Energy Slap. I mentioned completely, and that was it,” VanZant instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters throughout a information convention Wednesday. “Signed the contract, and right here I’m to do Energy Slap.

“I believe it’s thrilling for me as a result of it’s like, pay attention, I’m a gangster. Whether or not individuals need to admit it or not, I’m right here to slap anyone. It doesn’t matter what group, what fight sport, I’m right here to take over and have some enjoyable.”

VanZant hasn’t all the time gotten her hand raised, however her toughness can’t be undermined. She has by no means been stopped by strikes all through her fight sports activities profession, which incorporates bare-knuckle boxing, and isn’t afraid to take harm in Energy Slap.

“I look again at my UFC profession, my bare-knuckle boxing profession, all the pieces that I’ve finished, you may’t take away how robust I’m, and that is like that final take a look at of toughness,” VanZant mentioned. “Stand there, and also you’ve received to have the ability to have the balls to have the ability to get hit.”

VanZant made her boxing debut in Could when she fought influencer-turned-boxer Elle Brooke to a split draw. She didn’t find yourself rematching Brooke as initially planned, however that doesn’t imply she has deserted boxing.

“I believe for me the narrative proper now completely falls consistent with persevering with to do Energy Slap alongside doing my boxing,” VanZant mentioned. “I nonetheless intend to field once more on the finish of the 12 months. I’m ready for the date on that. This suits consistent with that.

“It’s preparation, it’s getting ready to trigger harm and take a look at to not take harm, however inevitably in Energy Slap you’re going to get hit. So who is aware of? I’m a lady who does regardless of the f*ck I would like, and proper now I need to do Energy Slap.”