She Conquers
with this month’s cover star Paige VanZant / @paigevanzant
Photographer: Mykola Novikov
Creative Director : Oksana Butovska
Make-up artist: Anna Uskova
Paige VanZant has never fit neatly into a single box, and that’s exactly why the world can’t stop watching her. She burst into global fame as the relentlessly tough, relentlessly charming breakout star of the UFC, carving out a place for herself in a sport built on grit, bruises, and the kind of discipline most people can only imagine. But Paige has always been more than her record or her resume. She’s an athlete, yes, but she’s also an entertainer, a creator, a businesswoman, and a woman who refuses to apologize for her ambition or her sensuality.
Today, Paige sits at the center of a multimedia empire built with her own hands, redefining what it means to be a modern powerhouse in the spotlight. She has mastered the art of confidence not as a performance, but as a lifestyle. Whether she’s stepping into a cage, a ring, a studio, or the digital space she commands with millions of fans, she brings the same energy: fearless authenticity. In front of the camera, Paige owns her narrative completely, blending strength with softness in a way that makes her impossible to ignore.
Now, in her exclusive Playboy feature, Paige arrives at her most empowered, expressing the full spectrum of who she is: athlete, creator, icon, and woman in total control. This is Paige VanZant unfiltered, unrestrained, and stepping boldly into the next phase of her life as she prepares for a massive year ahead in 2026.
You’ve lived many lives: fighter, creator, entrepreneur. Which version of Paige feels the most “you” right now? Right now, I feel like the most “me” I’ve ever been. I’m in a chapter where I get to choose myself my creativity, my femininity, my strength, my fun. I’m not boxed in by one title anymore. I’m all of them at once, and it finally feels aligned.
What does feminine strength mean to you at this stage of your life? Feminine strength is owning all sides of myself, the fighter, the lover, the creator, the vulnerable woman underneath it all. It’s being soft and unstoppable at the same time.
How has your background in combat sports shaped the way you see yourself as a woman? Fighting taught me discipline, grit, and how powerful my body truly is. But it also showed me the importance of balance. I can be a woman who throws punches and still loves glam, art, and sensuality. Being a woman has never been a limitation; it’s been my superpower.
What made you say yes to doing this Playboy feature? Because it represents freedom, confidence, and owning your sexuality on your own terms. I’ve spent years proving my toughness. This feature is about showing the side of me that’s feminine, confident, playful, and totally in control.
Were you always comfortable in front of the camera, or is that something you grew into over time? It definitely grew over time. Fighting forced me into the spotlight, but content creation helped me fall in love with it. Now the camera feels like a friend, a place where I get to express myself however I want.
What’s the biggest misconception about you that you wish would disappear? That I’m either just a fighter or just a pretty face. I’m both and a lot more. I’m a businesswoman, a creator, and someone who’s built her own lane.
You’ve built a massive fanbase online. What’s your secret to creating such a strong connection with your audience? Honesty. I show the real me the wins, the chaos, the sexy moments, the vulnerable ones. People connect with authenticity, not perfection.
Looking at yourself today, mentally, physically, emotionally, what are you most proud of? My resilience. No matter what chapter ends, I always find a way to reinvent myself and come back stronger and happier.
You’ve faced criticism and public pressure. How did you learn to stop caring about the noise? The moment I realized the people judging me aren’t the ones living my life. I stopped giving strangers power over my happiness.
In fighting, you’re known for grit; in private, what makes you feel soft or vulnerable? Love. My husband. My family. Quiet moments when I’m not performing or proving anything. That softness is just as important as the toughness.
Where does your confidence come from? From surviving things I thought would break me. Once you realize you can rebuild yourself, you’re unstoppable.
What part of your body or energy do you consider your greatest superpower? My energy the mix of playful, sensual, and fierce. Physically, probably my eyes. They say everything without me having to speak.
What’s the key to keeping your marriage strong, playful, and resilient under so much public attention? Communication, laughter, and choosing each other every day. We’re a team. We lift each other up and don’t let outside noise dictate our relationship.
What instantly makes you feel sexy? Confidence. A good outfit. A little gloss. And being in a space where I get to express my femininity with zero judgment.
When you’re not training or creating content, how do you unwind and recharge? I love being home cooking, playing with my dogs, hanging out with my husband, or just having quiet days where I do absolutely nothing. I need those resets.
Do you feel pulled toward returning to fighting, or is your passion shifting in a new direction? I’ll always be a fighter at heart, but my passions have expanded. I’m in a place where I’m exploring new opportunities and following whatever feels exciting and meaningful.
You were involved in Power Slap. What was that experience like from your perspective? It was wild, intense, and honestly fascinating. I love being part of things that push boundaries, and Power Slap definitely did that. It gave me a new respect for athletes who step into unfamiliar arenas.
What’s the boldest decision you’ve made in your career so far? Betting on myself. Leaving the traditional path and building my own brand from the ground up on my
terms.
What’s one rule you live by to stay grounded in such an unpredictable industry? Protect your peace. If it doesn’t align with my happiness, growth, or values, I walk away.
If you could speak to your younger self before fame, what would you tell her? Stop trying to be perfect. Your imperfections and detours will become your strength one day.
What’s something you want people to understand about the real Paige behind the spotlight? I’m human. I’m silly, sensitive, loyal, and driven. The world sees the fighter and the creator, but there’s a soft, goofy girl underneath it all.
Do you have a fantasy photoshoot or creative project you want to bring to life next? Absolutely something ethereal and powerful. Desert goddess energy, water elements, or something cinematic and otherworldly. I love concepts that blend strength and sensuality.
As you look ahead to 2026, what chapter are you stepping into, and what can fans expect from you in the year ahead? A chapter of evolution. More creativity, more confidence, more unexpected moves. I’m stepping into a year where I’m not just participating in my life, I’m leading it boldly.
