What would happen if one the UFC’s top rising stars stepped out of the Octagon and onto the dance floor?
Well on the 22nd season of Dancing with the Stars, rising strawweight star Paige Van Zant joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars to showcase her moves alongside The OC’s Mischa Barton, NFL Wide Receiver Antonio Brown and Boyz 2 Men singer Wanya Morris.
She also marks the third Mixed Martial Arts fighter to make an appearance following both Randy Couture on Season 19 and Chuck Liddell on Season 9.
For her inaugural appearance Paige was paired up with two time Dancing with the Stars champion Mark ‘Twinkle Toes’ Ballas, where the duo had to perform the Foxtrot.
Prior to her training in Mixed Martial Arts, Paige also has a background in hip hop, jazz and ballet dancing from her youth, but it seems her time in the cage surprised her dance partner as she was continuously strong arming him around the practice room.
We’re having to soften her a grip a little bit. Ballas commented after locking up with Paige for the first time.
I think he’s gonna have to get used to me grabbing tight and being aggressive. (It’ll) make him more of a man Paige replied.
Though this required Paige learning a new skill set, she had no intention of slowing down in her MMA training, with her head coach Urijah Faber helping her with a training regiment in Los Angeles where the show is filmed.
Paige Michelle VanZant (born March 26, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, VanZant was a fighter in Invicta FC before moving over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
