Since earning her UFC contract on DWCS 4.2, strawweight fighter Vanessa Demopoulos has carved out a name for herself on MMA’s biggest stage. With a current UFC record of 5–5, she enters this weekend’s UFC Atlanta event looking to snap a two-fight losing streak. The Greek-American is set to take on Jamey-Lyn Horth on the prelims card. Horth, who stands at 2–2 in the UFC, will be aiming to gain momentum of her own.

Though ‘Lil Monster’ holds more UFC experience, she enters the bout as the underdog against the 35-year-old. Still, her unique journey has made her one of the division’s most talked-about personalities. Back in 2022, ahead of her fight with Silvana Gómez Juárez, she made headlines for a brave life decision: she quit her job as an “exotic entertainer” to become a full-time fighter.

That move, described by many at the time as “scary,” ultimately paid off, earning her widespread fan respect and curiosity about her story. From the pole to the Octagon, Vanessa Demopoulos continues to inspire as she chases success in the UFC. Let’s learn more about the UFC strawweight star.

All about Vanessa Demopolous’ UFC & OnlyFans Career

“FIRST time in my life I don’t have to dance for my dollars. Instead, I get to fight for them now,” declared Vanessa Demopoulos after submitting Silvana Gómez Juárez with an armbar at UFC 270. The victory not only marked her first UFC win but also became a personal and financial turning point, setting the stage for a three-fight win streak. The Greek-American has never shied away from discussing her unconventional path.

Vanessa Demopoulos has never shied away from discussing her past as an exotic dancer, proudly assuring fans that she never “compromised” her morals on the road to the Octagon. Even today, she holds firm to those values—choosing not to join platforms like OnlyFans, despite their growing popularity among other fighters. Born in Ohio and raised in Greece, Demopoulos considers Greek her first language.

But her path to the UFC was anything but straightforward. She fought through addiction, endured homelessness, and clawed her way back to stability—proving her resilience long before she ever stepped into the cage. At just 18, she followed in her mother’s footsteps and began working as an exotic dancer—a job she held for 13 years, right up until her breakthrough moment at UFC 270.

Before earning her spot in the UFC, Vanessa Demopoulos built her resume with six professional fights under the LFA banner, using those years to sharpen her game in the regional circuit. By the time she stepped into the Octagon as a UFC fighter, she was already a seasoned competitor. But what truly captured headlines at UFC 270 wasn’t just her slick submission—it was her spontaneous leap into Joe Rogan’s arms during the post-fight interview. The unexpected moment caught both Rogan and the fans by surprise and instantly became one of the most iconic images in UFC Fight Night history.

MMA Heartthrob goes viral at UFC Atlanta for her Split

Having left her former career behind, 36-year-old Vanessa Demopoulos has already added “author” to her resume, publishing two books along the way. As she approaches her 40s, ‘Lil Monster’ shows no signs of slowing down. Her years as a stripper not only shaped her story but also helped preserve the strength and flexibility that continue to define her today. That physical edge was on full display at the UFC Atlanta weigh-ins, where she hit her mark and confidently spat out her mouthpiece—sending a clear message: she’s far from finished.

Still, her return won’t be a walk in the park. Standing across from her is former LFA women’s champion Jamey-Lyn Horth, a formidable opponent and a major test for Vanessa Demopoulos, who’s currently on a two-fight losing streak. But for the Ohio standout, challenges are nothing new. She’s faced far worse—and overcome it. Reflecting on the decision to leave behind her old life, she once shared,

“I grew up in the industry, and walking away from it was one of the scariest things I have ever done. It’s just so scary, man, because that was the way I was making money all of these years to fight full-time.”

So, what’s your take on UFC Atlanta—especially the matchup between Joaquin Buckley and Kamaru Usman? And can Vanessa Demopoulos pull off a much-needed win to reestablish herself in the division? Drop your thoughts below.