text: Paige VanZant and Felice Herrig had to be pulled apart as they squared off ahead of their strawweight clash in New Jersey. VanZant, at only 21 and with just five fights behind her, has already ruffled feathers after being one of a select few to sign an individual contract with Reebok. And Herrig was clearly riled during the traditional staredown in Times Square. Felice Herrig and Paige VanZant face off during the  weigh-in . Herrig and VanZant will face each other in the Octagon on Saturday night . VanZant steps on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in event at the Prudential Center . VanZant fights for the second time under the UFC banner when she takes on Felice Herrig . VanZant and Herrig had to be separated after getting too close during the traditional staredown . At 21, VanZant has been hyped as the UFC's next big thing despite only having fought five times . She said: 'I think I'm a better striker than Paige, a better grappler than Paige, I have a better submission skill set than Paige, I'm stronger than Paige and more athletic than Paige so I believe I'll be able to take the fight wherever I want to. 'I'm glad Paige has a lot of hype around her because I feel when I beat her it will make the victory that much sweeter and feel that much more rewarding and it will make people respect me more.' At only 21 and with just five professional fights to her name, VanZant has enjoyed a spectacular rise since her first bout in 2012. After three wins and a decision defeat, she was signed by the UFC for the newly-formed 115lb division and initially selected to appear on the Ultimate Fighter. But due to her being under 21 at the time, she was unable to take part and instead made her debut against Kailin Curran last November, stopping the 24-year-old in the third and final round. 'It's very surreal,' VanZant said. 'Even the fact I'm part of the UFC is a huge experience. It's a blessing and I don't think it will set in for a very long time. VanZant admitted it feels surreal to be part of the UFC having made her debut aged 20 . VanZant works out in the week of her next fight, against Herrig in New Jersey on Saturday night . VanZant made a winning start to her UFC career, stopping Kailin Curran in the third round . 'We were backstage at one of the other weigh-ins and someone threw it out, would you fight Felice Herrig and I said yeah and took the fight right away. 'I'm very excited about the match-up, stylistically it's a good one for me. 'As of right now, the only thing on my mind is winning this fight. I hope to win every fight the UFC offers me and see where this crazy journey can take me'. VanZant has a realistic chance of becoming the UFC's youngest-ever champion. That record belongs to light-heavyweight Jon Jones who won the title in 2011 aged 23. 'Obviously, that would be huge, and that would be awesome; I try not to think about it and try not to focus on setting records,' she told MMAjunkie. 'I strictly want to beat every opponent I face whether it's for a title or for a small show. The only thing for me is winning my fights and being the best athlete I can be.' Victory for VanZant will take her closer to a title shot as she bids to become the youngest-ever champion .
target: Paige VanZant takes on Felice Herrig in New Jersey on Saturday .
  The 21-year-old has only had five fights but is the latest UFC star .
  She is one of a select few to have an individual contract with Reebok .
  VanZant could realistically become the youngest-ever UFC champion .