Paige VanZant’s 5 Best Strappy Swimwear Looks in Mexico

The mixed martial artist posed for the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Cara O’Bleness | Nov 2, 2023

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Walter Chin/Sports Illustrated

Mixed martial artist and pro wrestler Paige VanZant is known for her accomplishments in the UFC ring, but the 29-year-old Oregon native is also a model and a published author. VanZant was featured in the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue after traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with photographer Walter Chin.

While VanZant had done some fashion industry work prior, she called the opportunity to pose for the magazine the highlight of her modeling career up to that point.

“As a little girl I aspired to be a lot of things. Dirt bike racer, professional dancer, fire fighter or a model. I got a small taste of modeling as a child by being in some ads for a few clothing companies,” she told SI Swimsuit. “I never got a real feel for it until later on in my career. Being in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is the pinnacle of my modeling career thus far. I would love to continue modeling and show off the girly side of me that people don’t get to see when I am training for fights.”

While on location in the resort town, VanZant modeled a number of stunning swimwear looks, from string bikinis to strappy one-pieces. And in a shocking reveal, the bare knuckle boxer noted on Instagram in August that her arm was actually broken during the photoshoot—something most people would never guess due to her poise in the resulting images.

Below are just a few of our favorite photos from the feature.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta. Swimsuit by AExAE.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta. Swimsuit by TeenyB Bikini Couture.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta. Swimsuit by Haus of PinkLemonaid.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta. Swimsuit by MAKARI.

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Published Nov 2, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, O’Bleness loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.