Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford have been a power couple in the MMA space. Both of them have had great success in their careers and are popular across the globe.

On the one hand, VanZant is expanding her career options and is featuring in multiple big promotions, while Vanderford just fought for the Bellator’s middleweight championship.

While everyone is aware of the couple and their relationship now, very few people know how these two fighters actually met and who ‘instigated’ their love.

On her Instagram stories‘ Q/A, ’12 Gauge’ talked about how her love story began.

“At the gym. And actually, there’s a very long story about [it]. Chael Sonnen is, actually, pretty much the reason, why we got together. He instigated and initiated our love,” said the Oregon native.

The couple has been going strong for quite a while now. They tied the knots in September 2018.

Apparently, Sonnen on his own set these two up. In an event, Sonnen pulled something out of the hat and had the couple sit next to each other. Since that day, these two never left each other’s side.

When VanZant was in the UFC, Vanderford even tried to get in the same promotion as her. However, even after winning his fight on Dana White‘s Tuesday Night Contender Series, Vanderford was not shortlisted.

However, it didn’t affect the undefeated fighter as he joined Bellator MMA and has performed exceptionally well in the organization. He went undefeated in his run to the middleweight title, where he met a veteran of the sport, Gegard Mousasi, and lost his first opportunity to win the title.

Yet the fighter is young and could bounce back and win the championship at middleweight.

What’s next for Paige VanZant?

Paige VanZant is on cloud nine, with her recent AEW signing and her social media going stronger than ever. ’12 Gauge’ has teased an upcoming bout this year for the BKFC promotion. The 28-year-old will look to step inside the ring for the third time and would finally want to raise her hand and get that first win out of the way.

For her AEW stint, there’s no substantial information on how she would go in the promotion. However, with her credibility, only big things are waiting for her.

Though the superstar doesn’t rule out a future UFC return, it is too soon for that.

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What do you think of Chael Sonnen helping out Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford to start a great relationship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.