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Paige VanZant Jokes She Was ‘Robbed’ on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ 10 Years Later
A new season of Dancing With the Stars is about to kick off, giving Paige VanZant the perfect excuse to revisit the Mirrorball that got away.
“Listen, I was robbed,” the “12 Gauge” fighter joked. “It’s been 10 years, I’m allowed to say it now. I’m kidding, obviously, but I wanted that Mirrorball.”
She certainly came close.
VanZant joined the hit ABC dance competition for Season 22 in 2016 while she was still competing in the UFC, teaming up with pro Mark Ballas. The pair quickly became one of the strongest couples in the ballroom, tying for the highest score of the year as early as week two.
They entered the final night at the top of the leaderboard and earned another perfect 30 for their jive-salsa fusion. Longtime head judge Len Goodman even told VanZant that if the competition came down to dancing alone, she was “the one to beat.”
The title ultimately went to Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd, with VanZant and Ballas finishing runner-up. “It is bittersweet,” VanZant told Glamour after the finale. “I’m upset of course. I wanted to take that mirrorball home.”
She wasn’t walking away bitter, though. VanZant called the experience “amazing” and said she would remember it forever. She also praised DiMarco’s run as “inspirational.”
A decade later, Ballas is headed back to the ballroom for Season 35, this time alongside The Traitors alum Maura Higgins. “Maura got a good one,” VanZant said. “Mark pushes you hard, but he knows how to get the best out of you. I’m excited to see what they do.”
VanZant has kept herself plenty busy since her own run on the show. In 2017, she won the athlete episode of Chopped’s celebrity Star Power tournament, earning a spot in the finale. A year later, she published her memoir, Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life, before appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2019.
Fighting never exactly took a back seat, either. VanZant remained with the UFC until 2020, then signed a four-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship worth more than $1 million. She later jumped into professional wrestling with AEW, made her pro boxing debut against Elle Brooke in 2024 and added Power Slap to the mix that same year.
Her career has taken plenty of turns, but dancing is the one chapter she’d happily revisit. When PopCulture asked about a possible DWTS return in 2021, she didn’t hesitate, saying she’d do it “in a second” and that she “truly did have so much fun” the first time around.
Five years later, she’s still interested. “I’d love another shot,” VanZant said. “I came so close the first time. I’m still waiting on my redemption season.” Until then, she’ll be cheering on her former partner. “I’m rooting for them,” she added. “I hope they go all the way.”
