Paige VanZant Gets Spot on Celebrity Edition of Food Network Show ‘Chopped’

Paige VanZant continues to find opportunities outside of the cage.

The UFC strawweight will appear on the Food Network Show “Chopped” on April 4 at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. There she will compete against fellow athletes Dorothy Hamill, Lamar Woodley and Mariel Zagunis for a spot on the show’s finale. According to the Food Network blog, “an exceptionally weird flavor of soda and a cheesy dish are two of the basket stumpers the competitors face in the appetizer round.” For VanZant to advance past the appetizer round, she must create a dish that will be evaluated by the show’s judges, who decide if she moves to the dinner and dessert portion of the competition or if she is eliminated.

All told, 16 “internet sensations, athletes, comedians and film and television actors” will compete in the Chopped: Star Power Tournament over the course of four episodes. The winners of each episode will advance to the Grand Finale on April 25, where they will compete for a $50,000 prize to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice.

VanZant already proved herself to be a crossover hit by earning a second-place finish on Season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars.” The 23-year-old last fought at UFC on Fox 22 on Dec. 17, when she suffered a first-round submission defeat to Michelle Waterson. “12 Gauge” is 4-2 during her promotional tenure overall. She currently does not have a fight booked.