If you haven't noticed, Paige VanZant is pretty popular these days.
The fighter, who recently turned 21 years old, won her UFC debut last November against Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson via third-round TKO, initiating a rapid ascent to superstardom in the strawweight division.
In the immediate aftermath of the victory, VanZant netted a deal with Reebok, becoming just the sixth fighter on the UFC's roster with an individualized endorsement from the company (h/t MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani). The others—Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, Anthony Pettis and Johny Hendricks—are fighters you may have heard of.
All the attention and exposure that followed, she admits, was overwhelming (and hugely appreciated).
Now, as VanZant turns her attention forward to a new challenge in the form of the 10-5 Felice Herrig at UFC on Fox 15 Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, she must balance the influx of media and fan interactions with her training schedule and her pre-fight preparations.
Her trick for accomplishing this is simple: disconnect.
"That's been something that I didn't really expect, this many people paying attention to me," VanZant told Bleacher Report. "I do stay off social media a lot, actually, especially leading up to the fight. I don't really notice a lot of what goes on. It's just been a blessing. It's been a roller coaster, but I've loved every second of it."
While the Team Alpha Male product acknowledges Herrig's experience and physical tools leading into their bout, she feels prepared, focused and ready to up her UFC record to 2-0.
"I think a huge advantage for me is that I'm very well rounded, [and] I think this is a very good matchup for me," VanZant said. "You know, I train with all guys. The strength advantage—I'm very strong as well. I know she definitely has the physique of a very strong person. But I'm very strong, and I've been working with a lot of men that fight just like her."
Training with the likes of UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes, MMA legend Urijah Faber and the entire stable at Team Alpha Male gives her immense confidence, but her decision to camp up in Sacramento also drew ire from her former coach, Rick Collup of the Reno Academy of Combat.
Collup took to Facebook shortly after VanZant's UFC debut, ripping the rising star's morals and integrity. Recently, Faber responded to the allegations, telling Collup to "Get a life, bro" (h/t BJPenn.com).
The situation has been less than ideal for all involved. Collup's words—valid or not—were "hurtful," according to VanZant, but she's eaten them and moved along, realizing that greener pastures await.
"It is hurtful, you know, but nothing's going to distract me from this fight," VanZant said. "There's always going to be noise. There was outside noise before my last fight as well, but it just really doesn't shake my nerves or shake me at all."
Should VanZant take care of business against Herrig Saturday evening, those green pastures will be just a short walk away. She's already beloved by the UFC's marketing team and by fans across the globe, and another win will put her on a short list of contenders for strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk's belt.
If the opportunity comes, VanZant is ready. She said she hasn't mapped out her course to the title and is willing to take any and all comers, but should the UFC offer her the golden opportunity, she'd pounce on it without a second thought.
"Oh, of course [I'd be ready for Jedrzejczyk]," VanZant said. "I trust my coaches, and I trust the decision of the UFC, so I'm going to continue listening to them and listening to my coaches and go from there. I'm going to continue doing what I love, whether that's fighting for a title or fighting on the undercard. It doesn't matter to me. My ultimate goal is just to win fights."
