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TMZSports.com
Too pretty to bareknuckle fight, not talented enough to win … that’s what Paige VanZant‘s heard for months, but now the combat sports star is finally CLAPPING back at the haters.
TMZ Sports talked to the 26-year-old Bare Knuckle FC fighter days before her fist-fighting debut against Britain Hart at Knuckle Mania on February 5th … and 12-gauge — who until now has bit her tongue — had a message for the doubters.
“My idea was if you talk s*** about somebody then you should be willing to say it to their face and not a single person who has said anything negative about me publicly has been willing to say it to my face,” VanZant tells us, continuing … “And I’ve seen people in person.”
Paige parted ways with the UFC last year … before signing with BKFC in August.
Some fans and “experts” were super critical of the move, saying VanZant was risking her looks — and future in the entertainment industry — to fight BKFC.
FYI, bareknuckle fighting tends to open up cuts — especially on delicate facial skin — leading to some brutal fights (awesome to watch if you like blood!!)
But, VanZant’s entertainment career is already booming … she’d done everything from modeling in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue to being a contestant on Dancing With The Stars — and she clearly isn’t concerned about her looks.
“‘Oh my face’ like, grow up! It’s a face and it’s mine and I can do whatever I want with it! And guess what? I’m still gonna be beautiful even if I get cut open. It’s not a big deal.”
Sooo … let the woman do her thing!! 💪👊