Imagine a fighter stepping out of the octagon, not due to injury or retirement, but for a new kind of arena. American athlete Paige VanZant made this surprising move in 2020. After 13 fights in the UFC, winning eight of them, she decided it was time for a new path. She chose OnlyFans.
The shift proved to be incredibly rewarding, especially financially. VanZant revealed she earned “more money in 24 hours than in her entire career” through her new venture. This kind of success changes everything for an athlete.
Now, her fighting career feels different. “The fights became just a hobby,” she told TMZ. “I’d call it my part-time job.” She made it clear where her main income comes from. “OnlyFans is what gives me everything I have,” she stated.
The idea for her profile struck her suddenly. She was in her car, driving back from a press conference. She decided to sign up. “In just one hour, I saw my subscribers grow,” she explained. That quick response made her realize the potential. “My life is going to change forever. The risk is worth it,” she thought.
Paige VanZant is 31 years old. She still has a massive online presence. She has over three million followers on Instagram. On OnlyFans, that number is more than 440,000. Her story highlights how modern athletes are finding new ways to build their careers and wealth, sometimes far from traditional sports.