Paige VanZant

Paige '12 Gauge' VanZant was one of the most marketable fighters of her generation, a young, charismatic competitor whose star power quickly outgrew the cage. Her aggressive, brawling style and crossover appeal made her a regular fixture on major cards and mainstream entertainment alike, and a head-kick knockout of Bec Rawlings briefly delivered the highlight her hype demanded.

The reality of elite competition was harder. VanZant's results never fully matched her fame, and a string of losses to ranked opposition underscored the gap between her marketability and her standing in a tough division. That tension, between a genuine fan-favorite personality and a record that drew skeptics, defined the in-sport debate around her.

After her final UFC fight, a loss to Amanda Ribas, VanZant left for bare-knuckle boxing and broader entertainment ventures, where her name recognition remained a major draw. She is remembered less for rankings than for crossover stardom: a fighter who brought new fans to the sport and brawled whenever she stepped in to compete.