SI LifeStyle

Paige VanZant’s Best 8 SI Swimsuit Photos From Puerto Vallarta

The mixed martial artist posed for the publication in 2019.

Cara O’Bleness

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Paige VanZant was photographed by Walter Chin in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mixed martial artist Paige VanZant traded the ring for the beach when she posed for the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2019. She traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where she collaborated with photographer Walter Chin. 

The 29-year-old professional fighter, who also works as a model, called her magazine feature the “pinnacle” of her modeling career up to that point.

“This is my way of not holding anything back,” she added of posing for the publication. “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. To go from an amazing UFC finish win in January, to shooting for [the] Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine in February could not be more of a dream come true.”

Today, the former UFC star creates OnlyFans content and regularly shares bikini pics on Instagram. However, our favorite swimwear photos of VanZant were unsurprisingly captured on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta four years ago. Below, find a selection of our top faves. 

MTY5MjQzMTk2Nzg0OTExNjQ5
MTY5MjQzMTk2Nzg2MTU2ODMz
MTY5MjQzMTk4MTEwOTY3MDcz
MTY5MjQzMTk3MDU0MDY4MDAx
MTY5MjQzMTk2NTI1Mzg5MDg5
MTY5MjQzMTk2NTAzMjM3OTIx
MTY5MjQzMTk3ODQ4OTU0MTQ1
MTY5MjQzMTk3ODUzMjc5NTIx

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.