Look: Throwback To Paige VanZant’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Debut

Just over two years ago, former UFC star Paige VanZant made her debut for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit edition.

VanZant said she had one goal in mind after doing the shoot. Hold nothing back.

“This is my way of not holding anything back,” she said. “I want people to know that you don’t have to choose. 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.”

She accomplished that goal. VanZant called appearing in the Swimsuit edition a dream come true.

“To go from an amazing UFC finish win in January, to shooting for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine in February could not be more of a dream come true.”

Here’s a look at her SI Swimsuit appearance.

The former UFC fighter said the call from Sports Illustrated surprised her.

“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,” she told SI.com.

She shared several photos from the shoot on her Instagram account.

VanZant is one of many athletes to make an appearance in the Swimsuit issue over the years. Alex Morgan, Genie Bouchard, Lindsey Vonn, Paige Spiranac and Maria Sharapova, among others, have all posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

The latest edition of the magazine can be seen online here.

The post Look: Throwback To Paige VanZant’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Debut appeared first on The Spun.