“We All Deserve to Be Paid More” – Paige VanZant Voices Her Opinion Ahead of UFC 251

The issue of fighter’s pay is getting more and more attention during recent times. Multiple big names such as Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal, and Curtis Blaydes have voiced their concern over the issue. UFC flyweight Paige VanZant has also joined the list of fighters who believe the largest MMA organization in the world is not paying fighters what they are worth.

Paige VanZant will step foot inside the Octagon this weekend at UFC 251 on Fight Island. With the fight, her existing contract with the UFC will come to an end. For someone who is looking for an increased payday, the occasion is as good as it can get. A dominant win over her opponent, Amanda Ribas, will give her an edge in negotiating a new deal with the UFC.

The former Dancing with the Stars contestant doesn’t hold any grudges against the UFC. She is thankful for all the opportunities she has received in her career. However, those haven’t necessarily translated to economical benefits.

“I’ve added up all the money I’ve made in the UFC over six years, and I could have just had a regular job with the same pay,” VanZant said while talking to MMA Fighting. “I’m so thankful for everything the UFC has done for me, the platform they’ve given me. This is nothing against the UFC. But the contract I signed is what I signed and I know I need to honor it. That’s why I’m fighting this last fight out and I was never trying to break it early.”

Paige VanZant wants to become a mom in the future as well someday

VanZant is one of the fighters who don’t have to necessarily depend upon their performance inside the Octagon as a measure of success. She has a massive following on Instagram, of which she makes a decent amount of money. She has also released her biography and hopes of acting in the movies too someday.

Despite all this, her love for fighting hasn’t diminished. However, it’s the cost that comes with maintaining yourself, especially when you go through a round of injuries such as VanZant, which gets a bit taxing. She has fractured her right arm thrice, with the most recent one coming in March earlier this year. Unfortunately, the UFC only pays fighter’s medical bills until a year from the date of the injury.

The UFC flyweight also wishes to be a mother later in life. However, she needs to make herself financially stable before she can embark on such paths.

“I do love what I do but it has to be worth it for your future, for your career, for your family. For being a woman, I want to be a mom, too. There’s a timeframe on that. My career, yes I can come back after having kids but there’re other factors like I need to make enough money to be able to take time off and have kids.”

As far as her competition is concerned, she is only focussed on her fight this weekend. She doesn’t have a particular fighter in her mind with whom she wants to be paid at par.

“I’m not trying to compare myself to any other fighter. I’m not saying I deserve more than any other UFC fighter. I think we all deserve more. We all deserve to be paid more,” VanZant added.