The dust is still settling from the massive showdown in Miami between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua, but while the fists were flying in the ring, a different kind of storm was brewing on social media. The “ring girls” for this Netflix mega-event didn’t just hold up round cards they became instant viral sensations, stealing the spotlight before the first bell even rang.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Twitter this weekend, you’ve definitely seen them. But one name, in particular, is dominating the headlines: Marissa Ayers.
The Viral Moment That Started It All
Before the fight even happened, the internet was already buzzing. During the final press conference and face-off, Jake Paul was doing his usual antics “peacocking” and trying to get in Anthony Joshua’s head. But standing right behind him, calm and composed amidst the chaos, was Marissa Ayers.
Fans immediately took notice of the 22-year-old model, who didn’t flinch while Paul tried to intimidate the former heavyweight champion. That single clip of her standing front and center while Joshua cracked up at Paul’s behavior turned her into the breakout star of the fight week.
Who is Marissa Ayers?
Marissa isn’t just a random face in the crowd. She is a University of Alabama alum who graduated in May 2025 with a degree in communication. Before her ring girl fame, she was a competitive gymnast for 11 years and later a cheerleader, which explains her comfort in front of massive crowds.
She has built a serious following on her own, boasting over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and 400,000+ on Instagram, where she shares “Day in the Life” vlogs and lifestyle content. This wasn’t her first rodeo either; she previously went viral working the Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor fight earlier this year.
The NFL Connection: Dating Jaxson Dart?
What’s really fueling the fire, though, is her rumored romance with New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The gossip started swirling back in October when the two were spotted together at a Halloween party. Since then, internet sleuths have been piecing together clues that seem pretty undeniable:
- The “Mom” Approval: Marissa was photographed sitting with Jaxson’s mom, Kara Dart, at a Giants game against the Patriots in December.
- The Shirt: In a recent “Get Ready With Me” TikTok, she was wearing an oversized Giants T-shirt while hanging out in a New York City apartment that looked suspiciously like Dart’s place.
- Date Nights: The pair was reportedly seen enjoying a cozy dinner at Ristorante MV, looking very much like a couple.
While neither has officially confirmed the relationship, the evidence is stacking up, and her appearance at the fight has only brought more attention to the potential power couple.
The Full Squad
Marissa wasn’t the only one turning heads in Miami. She was joined by fellow models Journi Carr and Raphaela Milagres, completing the trio that lit up the Kaseya Center. Journi Carr, a 25-year-old model from Texas, also brought her own massive social media following to the event, proving that these events are becoming just as much about the influencers ringside as the fighters inside the ropes.
It’s clear that the era of the “ring girl” has changed. They aren’t just background decorations anymore they are influencers, businesswomen, and in Marissa’s case, potentially the other half of a new NFL power couple.
This short video is relevant because it captures the rumored couple, Jaxson Dart and Marissa Ayers, out together, directly supporting the “dating rumors” section of the blog post.
