Paige VanZant has pulled out of her upcoming Power Slap title fight due to a serious neck injury.
VanZant revealed on Tuesday that she has a rare spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) and could scarily be paralysed if the injury worsens.
3
’12 Gauge’ was meant to fight for the first-ever women’s Power Slap title on June 27 in a rematch with Mikael-Michelle Brown.
She delivered a dominant performance against Brown in March at Power Slap 12, extending her undefeated slap-fighting record to two wins, one draw and zero losses with a unanimous decision win.
However, the anticipated rematch is no longer happening for now at least, as VanZant detailed her ‘freak’ injury on Instagram.
“I have a pretty severe neck injury,” VanZant explained.
“If it was not such a big deal I definitely would still compete because I was just really excited.
“It’s such a big deal and I was so excited for Power Slap to give me the opportunity to fight for a title.
“I have what is called a spontaneous, spinal epidural hematoma. It is a one-in-a-million, freak, crazy injury that happened in my neck.
“I was having problems with my neck. I went and got an x-ray because it was feeling pretty serious and I kind of knew something was wrong.
“The x-ray showed a little something but they were like, ‘Let’s get an MRI just to be sure.’
“I went and got an MRI. The radiologist called me and was like, ‘You need to see a neurosurgeon immediately.'”
3
Paige VanZant Power Slap Record
2-0-1
- Win – Mikael Michelle Brown via unanimous decision at Power Slap 12 in March 2025
- Draw – Chelsea Dodson via unanimous draw at Power Slap 9 in October 2024
- Win – Christine Wolmarans via unanimous decision at Power Slap 8 in June 2024
SSEH is defined as ‘blood accumulation’ in the spine and can ‘lead to severe neurological deficits,’ according to an article in the National Library of Medicine.
VanZant added that she almost feels ‘totally fine’ at this point, as she has no issues apart from lying down, but she did reveal how severe the injury could be if it’s not dealt with.
“If it does get bigger, there is a chance I will be paralysed,” VanZant concluded.
“That’s just a reality, I’ve come to accept. I feel really good. I’m in good spirits.
“It’s concerning and I’m being very careful and obviously I pulled out for a reason.
“But the way I feel right now, I have a feeling this was just a freak thing.
3
“My body’s going to reabsorb the bleed, it’s not going to get worse and I’m going to continue on with my career.”
VanZant fought nine times in the UFC before leaving in 2020 and transitioning into boxing, bare-knuckle fighting and eventually Power Slap.
She famously fought and drew with Elle Brooke last year in a Misfits Boxing clash.
‘!2 Gauge’ was scheduled to make her MMA return under the Global Fight League banner in 2025, but the promotion collapsed in April, leaving VanZant and several other fighting stars as free agents.
Van Zant has since found a love in Dana White’s surging slap-fighting promotion where she remains undefeated.
The 31-year-old pleaded with UFC CEO White to continue evolving Power Slap by introducing a belt at 125lbs, which she will hopefully get the chance to fight for in the near future.
