After making waves in the UFC and BKFC, Paige VanZant is stepping back into the spotlight—this time with a return to Power Slap. Following her draw against Chelsea Dodson last year, the former UFC and BKFC star is gearing up for a comeback on March 7th, where she’ll face amateur mixed martial artist Mikael Michelle. VanZant is thrilled to get another shot at competition, but one question lingers—will her husband, Austin Vanderford, be stageside to witness the slap showdown?
Ariel Helwani posed the same question to UFC fighter Austin Vanderford. Helwani asserted that in MMA, a fighter can win without even throwing or absorbing a punch but that’s not the case for Power Slap. Responding to the reporter, Vanderford asserted that he does support his wife in her endeavor as long as she is happy. “So, this is kind of a crazy answer—I’m confident in Paige, whatever she does. The biggest thing for her is getting her to buy into that belief in herself,” said Vanderford.
He further added, “The thing I love most about Power Slap is that it’s something she loves to do, and it’s something she is very confident going into. So, for me, I love watching her do it because she gets to go out, express herself, and have fun competing again. I think she lost a little bit of that joy in competing, and this has actually revitalized that drive for her. It’s just something she can go out and have fun with—land some slaps on some girls.”
Austin Vanderford on PVZ competing in Power Slap: This has actually really revitalized that drive for her.#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/BFWp3UTZAD
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 24, 2025
The slapping sport has its drawbacks, most of which are related to brain damage, as competitors absorb direct impacts to the face. While this is a matter of concern, Vanderford appears to have faith in his wife. The last time VanZant competed in Power Slap was last year when she faced Chelsea Dodson. Unfortunately, despite being in a dominant position, the match ended in a draw after Paige VanZant was penalized for “clubbing”—striking with more of her wrist and arm than her hand—which caused a small cut on Dodson’s face.
Despite the setbacks, ’12 Gauge’ is back on the grand stage competing once again. Regardless, both partners continue to support each other, as seen during Vanderford’s UFC debut in Seattle this past weekend.
Paige VanZant sends five-worded reaction to husband Austin Vanderford’s UFC debut win
After years, Austin Vanderford finally got his chance to prove himself at the UFC when he was booked against Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC Seattle. ‘The Gentleman’ knew that this was his only chance to show the world that he was not a normal fighter and that’s what he did when he took Veretennikov into deep waters. Showcasing exceptional wrestling and striking skills, Vanderford took control of his opponents in the first round and ultimately knocked out Veretennikov in the second round.
His victory was especially sweet for him and his family, as Vanderford had waited years for this moment. As he celebrated with his wife and coaches after the win, tensions flared when Veretennikov confronted him. Officials intervened swiftly, preventing a major fiasco. Regardless, ‘The Gentleman’s victory was celebrated by his family as VanZant took to her Instagram handle to add a message, “Welcome to the @ufc baby!!!!!”
Vanderford is not looking to slow down after his victory at Seattle. While having a conversation with the media, the Alaskan fighter asserted that he will fight for the welterweight title soon, “You know, the run [in the welterweight division] that I’m about to make right now, and I wouldn’t take any of that back for anything. And, and I’ve got coaching and a wife and a team who believes in me so much… I think that the spot that I’m in right now is the one I was supposed to be in. And I’m excited to capitalize on all that and move forward.”
With a career record of 13 victories and 2 defeats, Vanderford has roared back at the welterweight division but will the stakeholders of the promotion give him a chance to make a noise? What are your thoughts on it? State your opinion in the comments below.
The post “She Lost a Little Bit of Joy” – Paige VanZant’s Husband Reveals Stance on Ex-UFC Star’s Power Slap Stint appeared first on EssentiallySports.
