Brittney Palmer went from performing on the Strip in shows like X Burlesque to worldwide fame as a UFC Octagon Girl, holding signs to announce each round in front of millions of fans around the world. Palmer retired from the UFC last year and is now focusing on her art, which began as a form of expression while recovering from a serious car wreck and is now a full-time career.
Being an Octagon Girl isn't as easy as it looks, is it?
“To be in bikini shape year-round for the past 16 years takes a lot of dedication and focus. And traveling has its own difficulties. Early on in my Octagon Girl career, there was a lot more promotional work because there were no female fighters yet. So we were the female ambassadors of the sport. Since then, we've integrated incredible women into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), and they've definitely taken the weight off our shoulders.”
At one point, you were splitting time between Octagon Girl duties and working as a cocktail server at Pure nightclub. Did UFC fans ever recognize you?
“That was my selling point! That's how I got good sections. I would go on Twitter — ‘Hey, come to Pure nightclub tonight. You saw me at the fight.’ I'd put my little cocktail outfit on and work all night. I can't believe what I used to do to my body.”
Brittney Palmer unveils her portrait of former mayor Oscar Goodman at Oscar’s Steakhouse. (The Plaza Las Vegas)
What’s it like being a part of the art scene and seeing it develop here in Las Vegas?
“I have a private art studio and gallery in the Arts District called Kaleidoscope, but I'm opening the doors up to incredible new artists to show their work. I'm also hosting different workshops. We have sound bowl healing, painting classes, sewing classes, and pottery classes. So it's really this beautiful place that I've always dreamed of owning where I can support the art community and give people a really cool, fun, safe space to create in every way.”
