Paige VanZant is gearing up to make her professional boxing debut against Elle Brooke at the upcoming MF & DAZN: X Series 15. However, the combat sports fans weren’t pleased with the pair’s choice of clothing for their weigh-in as they took to the comments section to blast VanZant and Brooke. Vanzant, also known as ’12 Gauge’ made her name in the combat sports world with her UFC run that ended in 2020 after which she signed with BKFC for a 4-bout exclusive contract.

Meanwhile, her opponent, Elle Brooke, made her way into the world of boxing in 2022 after gaining notoriety as an influencer and content creator on various social media platforms. The two will be competing for the ‘MFB Women’s middleweight championship at the NRG Arena in Texas on May 25.

VanZant’s success with the platform ‘OnlyFans’ has also been a remarkable story in a past interview on the ‘OnlyStans’ podcast, she revealed, “I would say combined in my fighting career, I think I made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans that I had in my entire fighting career combined.” However, in the same conversation, she revealed that she was hesitant at first to venture into the platform primarily known for adult-oriented content as she felt like, “I didn’t want to lose out on opportunities based on a stigma.“

Based on the reactions by the fans to her weigh-in, there is still a considerable backlash being directed towards her as the online community didn’t hold back in their reaction to the weigh-ins for her upcoming clash against Elle Brooke. Here’s a look at what the fans had to say:

Fans slam Paige VanZant and Elle Brooke for “cringe” outfits at weigh-ins

One fan wanted to know if the event was an attempt to promote their OnlyFans page by VanZant and Brooke.

“Is this womens boxing weigh ins or a preview of their onlyfans?”

Another fan was blunt in their response as they labeled the entire affair as being “cringe”

“This is cringe af.”

Meanwhile, another harsh take was provided by a fan who claimed that the fighters didn’t look like combat sports athletes at all

“They look like strippers from a small town strip club..”

Other fans pointed out that Paige VanZant had previously turned down calls from Hollywood as she felt it would negatively impact her image as a fighter, but this event contradicts her previous statements

“And to think that at one point she was offered action roles and she turned them down because she wanted to be considered a serious fighter”

Some even felt as if the entire event was a “mockery” of other female athletes

“What a mockery of women athletes”

One fan used the event as an example of the decline of boxing as the premiere combat sport in the world

“Another example of how far boxing has fallen.”

According to this fan, the entire affair is simply “embarrassing”

“This is frikkin embarrassing”

For other fans, the event marked the end of boxing as a serious sport as they indicated their wish for the UFC not to end up facing the same fate in the future

“Boxing is dying, I hope the UFC doesn’t turn into this”

In conclusion, the fan reactions indicate that the community isn’t pleased with the Paige VanZant vs Elle Brooke boxing clash as the comments ranged from labeling the weigh-in as “cringe” to harsh critiques suggesting the fighters resembled “strippers” more than athletes.

As the fight approaches, it remains to be seen how VanZant and Brooke will respond to their detractors and prove their worth in the boxing ring, amid growing concerns that such spectacles are diminishing the sport’s prestige. What do you think about influencer and cross-over boxing events? Do you agree with the fan sentiments above? Share your thoughts in the comments with us!