UFC star Paige VanZant sizzles in bikini for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
American stunner will become the second female fighter in history to feature in the issue after Ronda Rousey in 2016
UFC star Paige VanZant stunned as she posed in a skimpy bikini for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
The flyweight star, 24, put her injury issues to one side as she made the most of the shoot in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
VanZant will become the second female fighter to feature in the popular Swimsuit issue - after Ronda Rousey in 2016.
She treated her 2.5 million Instagram followers to a video herself in the white bikini and claimed she is keen for them to see a new side to her.
In a clip posted by Sports Illustrated, she said: "I feel when you're in Sports Illustrated, that means you make it.
"So it's a really big deal, and I'm mostly excited for people to see this side of me.
"I think people do forget that, yes, I'm a professional fighter, my hair is cornrowed all the time, I punch people in the face for a living... but you can look cute, too."
VanZant suffered another setback when she suffered a right arm fracture for the third time in her career.
And she showed off the horrific swelling when she posted a gruesome photo to her Instagram page earlier this month.
She was set to face either Poliana Botelho or Montana De La Rosa at UFC 236 before her setback.
VanZant looked set to return to the octagon at UFC 236 - however, the flyweight revealed she had fractured her arm.
The 24-year-old suffered a right arm fracture for a third time in her career, having previously had two surgeries on the injury.
Rumours had suggested the popular flyweight fighter would face either Poliana Botelho or Montana De La Rosa at UFC 236.