UFC’s Paige VanZant Embracing Her Sudden Spotlight Before Fight Night

If there’s one thing we know about rising strawweight fighter Paige VanZant, it’s that she isn’t afraid of the spotlight.

VanZant, only 21 years old, is undefeated (3-0) in the UFC and will headline the main event of Fight Night Las Vegas for the first time in her young career. When ninth-ranked strawweight Joanne Calderwood — VanZant’s original opponent — had to withdraw due to injury, VanZant took no time accepting a fight against one of the division’s best: Rose Namajunas.

“It’s definitely my most aggressive opponent,” VanZant said in a media conference call on Monday. “(Namajunas) has a lot of tools in her toolbox. I’m excited because it brings me closer and closer to the top.”

Namajunas, No. 3 among strawweights, showed one of her tools in her last fight when she submitted Angela Hill via standing rear-naked choke at UFC 192. The 23-year-old is also a budding star in the UFC’s newest division and has fought some of the biggest names in women’s MMA.

VanZant and Namajunas’ clash has some implications for a potential title shot to the victor.

“Obviously if I beat someone ranked No. 3 there aren’t many people to get to the champ,” VanZant said.