UFC News · Sep 4, 2015
VanZant overcomes bullies to become star
Paige VanZant weighs in during the UFC weigh-in at The Frank Erwin Center on November 21, 2014 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Paige VanZant is nobody’s victim.
She used to be. In high school, for reasons she still doesn’t understand, VanZant was bullied by classmates. Kids can be ruthless, and the memories she has are ones she would rather forget.
“I didn’t get into MMA to be able to fight back, but I do have a lot more confidence now to know that I can.” -- Paige VanZantBut she’s only 21. Her freshman year wasn’t so long ago that the name-calling has drifted from her psyche.
“It wasn’t fun,” she says, and leaves it there.