Paige VanZant has been forced to withdraw from her upcoming Power Slap title match after being diagnosed with a rare and potentially life-altering condition.
VanZant revealed on social media that doctors discovered she is suffering from a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma—a rare condition where blood accumulates in the epidural space of the spine, potentially causing compression of the spinal cord.
“I have what is called a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. It actually didn’t come from training. It is a one in a million, fre ak, crazy injury that happened in my neck,” VanZant explained to her followers.
What makes this situation particularly alarming is that the injury wasn’t caused by any specific trauma or training incident. VanZant began experiencing neck problems and sought medical attention, initially receiving an X-ray that showed minor concerns. A follow-up MRI revealed the severity of her condition, prompting immediate consultation with neurosurgeons.
“The radiologist called me and was like, ‘You need to see a neurosurgeon immediately,'” VanZant recounted. “Basically the neurosurgeon at this point is surprised that I don’t have any neurological issues because it’s extremely serious. A lot of times people become paralyzed, start losing function of their arms and legs pretty quickly.”
Medical experts describe a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma as a condition that can lead to acute neurological deficits. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
VanZant’s medical team is still working to determine the cause of this rare condition, which typically occurs in high-trauma situations.
“We have to figure out why this happened and where the bleed came from,” she said. “It is extremely rare and typically only happens in high trauma situations like car accidents. I haven’t been sparring. I haven’t been going live. I’ve strictly been getting ready for Power Slap.”
The former UFC competitor remains hopeful despite the gravity of her diagnosis. She’s scheduled for additional tests and scans this Thursday, which will help determine the next steps in her treatment plan.
Perhaps most concerning is VanZant’s acknowledgment of the potential risks: “If it does get bigger, there is a chance I will be paralyzed. That’s just a reality I’ve come to accept.”
Despite this harrowing prognosis, VanZant maintains a positive outlook. “I feel really good. I’m in good spirits,” she said. “The way I feel right now, I have a feeling this is just a thing my body’s going to reabsorb the bleed. It’s not going to get worse, and I’m going to continue on with my career.”
The Power Slap event was scheduled for June 27 in Las Vegas. The organization has not yet announced if they will seek a replacement opponent or reschedule VanZant’s title opportunity for a later date.
For now, the combat sports world watches and waits as one of its most recognizable personalities faces perhaps the toughest battle of her career—one taking place entirely outside the competitive arena.
