VANESSA DEMOPOULOS said she quit her STRIPPER job six weeks prior to beating Silvana Juarez at UFC 277.
To focus completely on her latest training camp, the strawweight ended her 13-year-old pole dancing career.
Vanessa Demopoulos quit her STRIPPER job just six weeks before beating Silvana Juarez
The decision was a success as Demopoulos defeated Juarez by a first-round armbar.
She said, "I don’t think it’s a secret. I was an exotic entertainer 13 years ago.
"And although I didn't say it on the microphone, I'd like it to be said now - I left being a stripper to continue with this camp.
"I stopped dancing six to eight weeks back in order to focus fully on MMA and take it very seriously in the gym every day.
Demopoulos improved to 6-4 and even admitted that her performing days helped her improve her jiu jitsu.
She stated that a lot of her jiu jitsu comes from her experience as a pole dancer.
Demopoulos, who is currently 1-1 in the UFC, hopes to emerge as a superstar in the promotion.
She stated, "I'm glad that I look like the new star because I am. They should keep an eye out for me, because I'm the new superstar.
"I didn’t feel pressure, because I wasn’t trying to be something that I wasn’t."
Demopoulos said, "I've heard all of the, 'Don’t waste your energy when walking out.'
"You should come see me in my locker room. That would be all you could ask for.
