Former UFC fighter Paige Van Zant is set to make her debut in the combat sport of Power Slap on June 28. Van Zant, who has also competed in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing, and traditional boxing, will face South Africa’s Christine Wolmarans, a fellow former MMA competitor. Wolmarans previously participated in the first-ever women’s Power Slap competition in 2923, suffering a second-round knockout loss. As a mixed martial artist, Wolmarans holds a record of 1-2, while Van Zant boasts an 8-5 record, with her last UFC appearance resulting in a loss to Amanda Ribas in July 2020.
Since leaving the UFC, Van Zant has had two fights with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, losing to Rachael Ostovich and Britain Hart in 2021. In May, she fought Elle Brooke to a split draw. Van Zant has also delved into other pursuits, including participating in All Elite Wrestling storylines and Dancing With the Stars, as well as building a following on her Only Fans account. While she hasn’t reached championship status in any combat sport, Van Zant is one of the biggest names to transition to Power Slap, adding further intrigue to the promotion.
As Power Slap continues to gain popularity as a child promotion of the UFC, Van Zant’s involvement may attract more prominent names to the platform. The upcoming event featuring Van Zant’s debut will coincide with International Fight Week and will also precede UFC 303. Despite some changes to the UFC 303 card, including the loss of the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler bout, the event still promises exciting matchups such as Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 for the Light Heavyweight Championship, Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega, and Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Page.
It will be interesting to see how much attention Van Zant’s transition to Power Slap garners during a significant weekend for combat sports. The combination of Van Zant’s star power and the growing popularity of Power Slap could potentially lead to more crossover between established combat sports and emerging platforms. As fans eagerly anticipate Van Zant’s debut in the sport, the event on June 28 promises to be a highlight during a packed weekend of combat sports action.
