Austin Vanderford and Paige VanZant signify probably the most outstanding partnerships in trendy blended martial arts. Individually, every has constructed a particular profession in fight sports activities; collectively.
Austin Vanderford
Austin Vanderford moved as an toddler to Ninilchik, Alaska, the place he started wrestling in highschool. He claimed back-to-back Alaska State Wrestling Championships in 2006 and 2007 earlier than incomes an NAIA nationwide title at Southern Oregon College in 2012. After graduating with a bachelor’s diploma, he spent two years teaching at his alma mater. Vanderford turned skilled in MMA in 2017, compiling an undefeated 6–0 file on the regional circuit earlier than signing with Bellator MMA. In February 2025, he made his UFC debut, stopping Nikolay Veretennikov within the second spherical to enhance to eight–2 and showcase his balanced ability set, which incorporates 5 knockout and three submission victories.
Austin Vanderford is scheduled to combat Ramiz Brahimaj at UFC 320 on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas. A number of shops record the bout on the prelims and word it as Vanderford’s second UFC look after his February debut win over Nikolay Veretennikov.
Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant grew up dancing at her household’s studio. After enduring bullying in highschool, she took up boxing for self-defense and transitioned into MMA at age 18, profitable her novice debut. VanZant made her skilled debut in 2012 and joined the UFC’s inaugural strawweight roster in 2014. She earned “Struggle of the Evening” honors in her debut, a third-round TKO of Kailin Curran. Over her tenure with the UFC, she compiled an 8–5 MMA file, later branching into bare-knuckle boxing, skilled wrestling with AEW, and actuality tv, together with Dancing with the Stars and Chopped.
The couple met in 2017 via mutual involvement within the MMA group and married in 2018. Their relationship extends into skilled collaboration by way of their podcast, A Kick-Ass Love Story, the place they focus on combat preparation, profession challenges, and private milestones. Their dynamic demonstrates mutual respect for one another’s craft: Vanderford typically credit VanZant’s resilience in overcoming accidents and weight-cut struggles, whereas VanZant highlights Vanderford’s disciplined method to coaching and competitors.
Paige VanZant has no confirmed subsequent combat date launched throughout Energy Slap, GFL, BKFC, or Soiled Boxing; monitoring for an up to date announcement following her June withdrawal.
Financially, the pair instructions a mixed internet value estimated at $6 million, derived from combat purses, sponsorships, media appearances, and VanZant’s ventures on social media and different websites. They preserve a rigorous coaching schedule at American Prime Staff Portland, balancing energy and conditioning, grappling, and putting classes. Each emphasize psychological preparation, viewing setbacks as alternatives for progress and leveraging one another’s experiences to refine strategies and techniques.
Outdoors the fitness center, the duo engages in philanthropy and content material creation. They host seminars on bullying prevention and self-defence, and assist youth wrestling packages in Alaska and Oregon. Their social media channels, which doc coaching, journey, and every day life, underscore a dedication to authenticity and reference to followers.
