Former UFC strawweight contender Paige Van Zant is set to make her Power Slap debut on June 28, facing South Africa’s Christine Wolmarans. Wolmarans, who previously competed in MMA with a 1-2 record, suffered a second-round KO loss in the first-ever women’s Power Slap competition in 2023.
Van Zant, who has also competed in bare-knuckle boxing and traditional boxing, holds an 8-5 MMA record. Her last appearance in the Octagon was in July 2020, where she lost to Amanda Ribas. Van Zant has also had two fights with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, losing to Rachael Ostovich and Britain Hart in 2021.
Aside from her combat sports career, Van Zant has participated in All Elite Wrestling storylines and Dancing With the Stars, as well as building a large following on her Only Fans account. While she has not reached championship status in any discipline, Van Zant’s move to Power Slap marks a notable shift for the combat sports community.
As Power Slap continues to gain popularity as the UFC’s child promotion, Van Zant’s involvement may attract other prominent names to the sport. The event, taking place during International Fight Week, offers a high-profile platform for TKO Holdings. The weekend will also feature UFC 303, showcasing notable matchups such as (c) Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 and Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes.
Despite some changes to the UFC 303 card, including the loss of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, the event still presents compelling matchups such as Alex Pereira’s rematch with Jiri Prochazka, Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega, and Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Page. The event will also feature fighters like Anthony Smith, Cub Swanson, and Andrei Arlovski, adding to the overall appeal for combat sports fans.
With Van Zant’s Power Slap debut coinciding with a major weekend for combat sports, all eyes will be on her as she seeks to make an impact in her new venture. As one of the most recognizable names to transition to Power Slap, Van Zant’s performance and reception could have a significant influence on the future trajectory of the sport. Fans and fighters alike will be watching closely to see how she fares in this new challenge.
