Back in 2016, it seemed the UFC had a surefire future star on their hands in Paige VanZant. The then 22-year-old had put together a 3-1 record with the promotion – including a remarkable performance in a loss to future champion Rose Namajunas – and had become a celebrity even outside the narrow circles of MMA fandom for her strong run on Dancing With the Stars.
Fast forward a few years and VanZant is on her way out of the world’s largest MMA promotion, leaving a 5-4 record inside the Octagon in her wake—with three losses in her last five fights.