UFC: 5 MMA Power Couples Who Could Hold Titles Simultaneously
The couple that wins together stays together.
Workplace romances aren't anything new. Simply take a look at just about any occupation known to humankind and one will almost certainly find a few co-workers canoodling. This is particularly true for occupations that are a bit out of the ordinary —like cage fighting, for instance.
Who would better understand the trials and tribulations associated with fighting another human inside a cage, than a person who also competes in mixed martial arts? This is one of the reasons that so many MMA stars end up dating fellow fighters.
Over the years, there have been several couples that have found success while involved in a high-profile MMA romance. However, one thing fans have yet to see is duo hold titles simultaneously, while competing for a major promotion. That being said, there are several pairs who have a chance to make history by becoming the first.
With that in mind, it's time to take a look at 5 MMA couples. All of these romantically linked standouts have, at the very least, an outside chance of holding world titles for a major promotion at the same time.
5. Austin Vanderford And Paige VanZant
Austin Vanderford And Paige VanZant have been married since September of 2018 and are one of MMA's most talked-about couples.
VanZant is 26-year-old Strawweight who currently competes in the UFC. The blonde star out of Dundee, Oregon's marketable appearance has helped make her one of the most popular fighters in the game. VanZant has also made a name for herself outside the cage, having appeared on television shows like Dancing with the Stars and modeling for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Her husband, Austin Vanderford, is a former college wrestler who is signed with Bellator MMA. The 29-year-old welterweight currently has a perfect 8-0 professional record.
VanZant only has one more fight on her UFC contract and has publicly stated that she is interested in testing the free-agent market. If she ends up staying in the UFC, her chances of capturing a title seem slim. Current flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko looks unbeatable, and VanZant would have to get by several top contenders to even get a shot at the strap. However, if she joins her man over in Bellator, things could get a lot more interesting for the flyweight star.
Bellator's flyweight division is fairly shallow and outside of current champ, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is made up of relative unknowns. If she decided to sign with Bellator, on name recognition alone, VanZant would likely be immediately thrust into the title picture. Of course, based on her current ten-fight win streak, the undefeated MacFarlane would justifiably be a heavy favorite in that potential matchup.
For his part, if Vanderford can remain undefeated, and continue to slowly climb the ladder, he should get a title shot at some point. Of course, he hasn't faced any big names yet, and he'll have to prove he can hang with the upper echelon of Bellator's welterweight division, before getting a shot at the gold.