UFC's Paige VanZant wins 'Chopped' celebrity episode, looks to earn $50K for charity in finals

Paige VanZant continues to win big outside the cage.

The UFC strawweight knocked out the competition Tuesday on a special edition of “Chopped,” advancing to the finals of a $50,000 tournament for charity.

VanZant, a finalist on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 22, survived three rounds on the popular Food Network show, wowing the judges during appetizer, main course and dessert rounds. At one point, judge Alex Guarnaschelli exclaimed, “I kind of can’t believe you’re not a chef.”

In the end, VanZant bested Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hamill with an apple crumble and rice pudding horchata ice cream.

“I like to punch faces, and I like to cook, so this is actually a dream come true to be on this show,” VanZant announced after putting up her first dish, Wagyu beef meatballs with eggplant rollatini sauce.

Photo courtesy of Food Network

VanZant faced off with Hamill, football player LaMarr Woodley and Olympic fencer Mariel Zagunis as part of an athlete-themed tournament round.

The 23-year-old Oregonian joins internet star Lazarus Lynch and two winners to be determined in the grand finale, which airs April 25 on Food Network. VanZant is representing Cancer Train, a charity whose proceeds go directly to cancer patients needing help with medical bills.

According to a teaser for the finale, VanZant and her fellow competitors encounter “a pretty — but pretty bland — fruit” in the appetizer round, while the entree features “a pineapple transformed into something extra special” and a basket with a tower of cookies and a tropical fruit for dessert.

“12 Gauge” will have her work cut out for her.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.