UFC's Paige VanZant -- Basically Confirms She's Dating UFC Star

Paige VanZant doesn't seem to be afraid of anything ... except when it comes to confirming that she's OFFICIALLY dating a fellow UFC fighter -- though it's pretty obvious it's on and crackin'.

VanZant was out in NYC when we just had to ask her about UFC rising star Cody Garbrandt -- who she's been hanging out with A LOT recently.

In fact, they recently had a movie date night together ... and she made him her "Man Crush Monday" just two weeks ago.

Check out the clip -- Paige gets all adorably flustered when we mention Cody's name ... and plays coy when we ask if the two are a real deal item.