Paige VanZant Reflects on Her Journey from "Dancing With the Stars" to the UFC
Paige VanZant, the Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight fighter, may not have taken home the mirror ball trophy on "Dancing With the Stars," but she certainly won the hearts of many with her inspiring journey on the show.
As the seconds ticked away before the winner was announced, VanZant stood facing downward, waiting for the verdict.
When Nyle DiMarco was declared the champion, she graciously congratulated him and reflected on her own experience in an exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Times.
VanZant, known for her tenacity in the octagon, expressed her admiration for DiMarco and his inspirational journey on the show.
"If I was just watching the show on TV and I saw someone like Nyle on, I would vote for him," she said. "He really was inspirational, doing things no one’s really done before.
It was inspiring and I’m happy for him and how he has inspired people."
Despite not taking home the top prize, VanZant and her partner, Mark Ballas, left a lasting impression with their performances.
They closed Monday’s finale with the top combined scores in their "redemption" and freestyle dances.
However, it was DiMarco’s stirring freestyle performance to a remake of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” that captured the judges and the masses.
Reflecting on her own journey, VanZant shared, "I gave it everything I’ve got and I can definitely say I tried my hardest in this competition. I feel like I still walked away with a victory because I was able to share my story."
VanZant's emotional performance on Monday, where she channeled the pain of being bullied as a child in Oregon into her dance, touched many hearts.
Her partner, Mark Ballas, tearfully expressed his pride in her ability to translate her past struggles into a moving performance.
"I feel like I was able, through [Ballas], to completely show off who I was through dance and the whole journey," VanZant said.
"It’s definitely something I still feel to this day, but I have grown a lot and I hope I can use my story to reach out to people who are experiencing the same thing."
The experience of opening up about her past on a public platform like "Dancing With the Stars" was a challenging yet rewarding one for VanZant.
"The show did force me to open up. It was something they wanted me to do for a very long time and I did finally get comfortable with it toward the end," she shared.
"I’m happy I was able to open up and share, and I hope I was able to inspire some people."
VanZant has received a lot of positive feedback and has since partnered with an anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness about the issue.
"I wanted to get it out there because [bullying] is so prevalent today – it’s even worse because you can hide behind social media," she emphasized.
Following her appearance on ABC’s "Good Morning America," VanZant expressed her disbelief at making it all the way through the competition.
"It’s crazy that it’s really over, but it was an amazing experience and I’m ready to get back to the fight world," she said.
Her return to the UFC is eagerly anticipated by fans, especially after her courageous performance in a bloody-faced loss to Rose Namajunas in December.
Looking ahead, VanZant is eager to step back into the octagon and continue pursuing her passion for fighting. "We’ll start working on a fight …
I love fighting," she affirmed. "I’ll fight whoever the UFC gives me. I’m really happy I brought fans to the UFC and excited to see how many people watch my next fight."
In addition to her MMA career, VanZant is also exploring opportunities in Hollywood. She revealed that she will film a "small role" in Jean-Claude Van Damme’s next "Kickboxer" movie while training in Thailand.
Her athletic and dancing prowess has even sparked interest from "Dancing With the Stars" producers who are keen on having her return as a professional partner on the show.
However, VanZant remains focused on her true passion – mixed martial arts. "No, I love [dancing], but I miss fighting and I’m ready to get back in the fight world and be immersed in mixed martial arts again because it’s my home," she stated.
"I can’t wait to see what opportunities come next and I’d like to take every one that comes my way."
As she transitions from the glitz and glamour of the dance floor back to the intensity of the octagon, Paige VanZant’s resilience and determination continue to inspire fans around the world. Her journey from
"Dancing With the Stars" to the UFC is a testament to her unwavering spirit and unyielding dedication to her craft.
With her eyes set on future victories, both in and out of the ring, VanZant is poised to leave an indelible mark on both the world of sports and entertainment.
