Swimsuit

Paige VanZant Put Her Beauty and Power on Display in These 5 Photos From Puerto Vallarta

The MMA fighter proved she really can do it all on the beaches of Mexico.

Martha Zaytoun

Paige VanZant sports her blonde hair in a messy down-do and stares at the camera.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta.

In 2019, MMA fighter Paige VanZant officially joined the ranks of SI Swimsuit models. The now 29-year-old traveled to Puerto Vallarta with photographer Walter Chin for a moment under the warm Mexico sun and a series of utterly stunning photos.

“I was unbelievably shocked that SI Swimsuit called and asked if I would be a part of their magazine,” she told the SI Swimsuit team at the time. “I have constantly been having to prove to the world and UFC fans that you can be beautiful and a bad ass at the same time. Well, now it’s my moment to shine.” 

It was an opportunity for the athlete to inspire—and that’s just what she did. Her February photoshoot took place right after VanZant secured a big win in the UFC Octagon in January, impressing upon her just how versatile she really is, and allowing her to share that with the world.

“I want people to know that you don’t have to choose,” she said of being both a powerful fighter and a model. “You do not have to label yourself as one thing because that’s what surrounds you. I’m not scared anymore to show how girly I am.”

That is exactly what she did when she took to the beaches of Mexico for her SI Swimsuit debut—she proved that she really can do it all. While all of the photos were both beautiful and powerful, we simply can’t get over the following five.

Paige VanZant poses in a lilac string bikini on the rocks edging the beach.
Paige VanZant poses in front of the ocean in a teal underwire bikini set.
Paige VanZant sits on a rock by the water in a green and white string bikini.
Paige VanZant lays on the sand in a string bikini.
Paige VanZant poses in a white bikini in front of a cream knit blanket.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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