Arianny Celeste may have traded in her UFC ring girl uniform, but that doesn’t mean she’s stuck for a penny. In fact, there’s a chance she’s making more of a mint than ever after building up a fortune that’s believed to be worth around $3 million.
The most recognisable ring girl in the company’s history won’t be working Octagon-side as Leon Edwards headlines Saturday’s Fight Night card in London. ‘Rocky’ is due to face off against Sean Brady as he looks to carve out another shot at the UFC welterweight title.
More than a year has passed since Celeste hung up her booty shorts and brought the curtain down on her ring girl career. However, that’s not to say her 18-year association with the UFC has ended given she is set to front a new show with the company after president Dana White took to the idea.
Celeste made her UFC debut in 2006 and was promptly named Ring Girl of the Year, which turned into an almost annual tradition for the brunette beauty. Over a span of almost two decades, she proceeded to work on hundreds of fight cards, weigh-ins and other promotional events, all in the name of promoting the UFC brand.
She told MMA Junkie last year: “I think there comes a time where you’re just like, ‘Okay, I’ve been doing this for, man, like 18 years almost, 20 years. So what’s next? What can I do within the company that’s going to make me valuable, but also catapult me to where I’m a little bit more respected in the community, maybe?’
“Yes, it’s cute to walk around in a bikini, but can I do that forever and still be respected? I’m not sure. It’s a hard question for me because obviously I like to keep it classy and sexy, but there just comes a time where you’ve got to move on, I think.”
(Image: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
And it appears Arianny learnt a thing or two about entrepreneurial innovation from her time in the business after starting some ventures of her own. One such side hustle is The Girlfriend Box, a company that creates custom-order gift boxes, designed to make jewellery or other presents stand out that much more.
On top of that, Celeste also owns and operates an Airbnb called the CasaPlayaCondo in Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort town on the west coast of Mexico. This investment also allowed the 39-year-old to exercise her creative juices considering she designed the rental herself as well.
In addition, Celeste also sells adult-only content via a subscription service that’s sure to net her a healthy income. After all, it only seems fair that the retired ring girl stands to profit more independently from all those years spent parading herself around stadia across the world.
Mother-of-one Celeste also advertises fitness and nutrition brands via her Instagram account, where she boasts around three million followers. That’s in addition to any extra modelling work the former Maxim and Playboy pin-up might take on in her own time.
(Image: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
It’s understood Celeste is currently due to be wed to real estate agents Hamlet Walsh following their engagement in Hawaii. And judging from the portfolio of properties plastered across his social channels, the couple won’t be struggling for funds anytime soon.
It’s only natural that new UFC ring girls join the company as the more experienced bunch phase out. However, any of Celeste’s fans hoping she may one day make an Octagon comeback may yet be in luck after she left the door open for her return.
“I wouldn’t mind [one final time),” she told MMA Junkie. “I still feel great in a bikini and I work out all the time, so it’s not a matter of if I’m ready. But I guess if the fans would want to see it, they have to ask the boss.
“That would be incredible (to work Noche UFC at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September). I’ve never been to that place, but it looks really, really cool. Maybe we’ll have to start a campaign with the fans and see if they can tell Dana.”
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
