UFC fighter earns more from OnlyFans in 24 hours than entire career

VanZant joined the UFC in December 2013 as one of the first 11 fighters in the new women’s strawweight division. By 2020, she had become one of UFC’s most marketable names with eight wins and five losses, a high-energy fighting style and a sizable fan base. After a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in 2020, she announced her retirement, which shocked the MMA scene.

A year later, VanZant launched an account on adult platform OnlyFans, posting exclusive photos and interacting with subscribers. Speaking on the Only Stans podcast last week, she said the platform transformed her finance situation.

"I made more money in the first 24 hours on OnlyFans than my entire martial arts career," she said, as quoted by Marca.

Former UFC star Paige VanZant. Photo by Instagram/@paigevanzant

According to VanZant, the income from OnlyFans helped her achieve financial freedom.

"Fighting to me is just a hobby now. It’s my part-time job," she told TMZ.

VanZant also recalled the first day that she joined OnlyFans: "I was in my car, driving back to my hotel from the press conference. I logged in and I'd only been live for an hour. I could see my subscribers going up, and I think I got to 52,000. At that moment, I knew our lives have changed forever."

VanZant quickly became one of OnlyFans' most prominent faces, and her high income allowed her and her husband, boxer Austin Vanderford, to comfortably step away from the professional ring.

Her decision to join OnlyFans reflects a trend of athletes using the platform to make money, from posting professional content to more provocative material, a shift that has sparked debates in sports.