What was supposed to be a routine walk between two Parkland parks turned into a police matter for Paige VanZant, after a man allegedly tailed the former UFC fighter for roughly an hour on April 6. VanZant, who is married to Bellator middleweight Austin Vanderford, told deputies she was rattled enough to call both her husband and 911. A 21-year-old Parkland man was taken into custody and later released on bond, an incident that has locals talking again about stalking and safety in neighborhood parks.
According to a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report, as reported by Parkland Talk, deputies arrested 21-year-old Giancarlo Galliani on April 6 and charged him with stalking and cyberstalking. The report states that Galliani was taken into custody at or near his residence on the 6700 block of Long Leaf Drive, then transported to the Broward County Main Jail, where he was later released after posting a $5,000 bond.
The affidavit reviewed by Parkland Talk says Galliani followed VanZant from Davis Foreman Wilderness Preserve to Terramar Park, shadowing her for about an hour before waiting in a parking lot and shouting her name. He then allegedly yelled, "Sit on my face!" VanZant told deputies the encounter left her frightened. The report notes that Galliani later admitted to following her multiple times and that investigators concluded his actions served "no legitimate purpose" and gave her reason for alarm.
VanZant has previously talked about other stalking scares, including a disturbing episode at American Top Team, where a man she later learned had been sending her daily messages for years showed up at the gym. She described that incident on her podcast, as reported by MMA Mania. Those earlier experiences highlight how persistent unwanted attention can become for public figures and the kind of safety issues that can follow them into everyday spaces.
What Florida Law Covers Stalking
Florida law defines stalking, including cyberstalking by electronic communication, as a willful, malicious and repeated course of conduct that can cause substantial emotional distress. Depending on the circumstances, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Victims may also seek civil injunctions for protection. The statute and related provisions on injunctions and aggravated stalking are outlined by the state legislature and are available through the Florida Senate.
The arrest report states that VanZant positively identified the suspect in a photo lineup and that Galliani admitted to following her. Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Broward Sheriff's Office. The case is expected to move through the local court system, and upcoming hearings or filings should appear in public records.
