Austin_Vanderford

Austin Vanderford

Austin Vanderford

American mixed martial arts fighter

Austin Vanderford (born March 21, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist, who competes in the Middleweight division. He previously fought in Bellator MMA, where he contended for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.

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Quick Facts Medal record, Collegiate Wrestling ...

Background

Vanderford was born in Santa Rosa, California, before moving at the age of 9 months old to Ninilchik, Alaska. He would develop a taste for competitive sport while wrestling for his high school team, where he became a 2-time Alaska State Wrestling Champion (2007-160 lbs, 2006-152 lbs) in his junior and senior years.

Vanderford wrestled at Southern Oregon University, becoming the NAIA National Wrestling Champion in 2012 (184 lbs.) and was a 2-time NAIA All-American wrestler. After finishing his college career graduating with a bachelor's degree, he took up a coaching job with the university for a couple of years, before following his desire to fight competitively. Vanderford would win all four bouts of his amateur career as a welterweight.[1][2][3][4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Making his professional debut at Prime Fighting 9 on March 11, 2017, Vanderford faced Sol Renato, going on to defeat him via TKO in first round. He went on to defeat his next two opponents, Adam Fugitt and Ben Fodor, both via unanimous decisions, winning the CageSport Welterweight title against the later at CageSport 47.[5] He would go on to tap out Kenny Licea in the second round via rear-naked choke at VFC 59, before he was invited to face Angelo Trevino on July 17, 2018, at Dana White's Contender Series 13. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two, however did not secure a contract with the UFC.[6] In his last bout on the regionals, Vanderford faced Brazil's Edmilson Freitas, knocking him out in the first round.[7]

Bellator MMA

After going undefeated in 6 bouts on the regional scene, Vanderford signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.[8][9]

In his debut appearance with Bellator MMA at Bellator 215 on February 15, 2019, he took on Cody Jones and submitted him via arm-triangle choke in the first round.[10]

Vanderford faced Joseph Creer at Bellator 225 on August 25, 2019, winning the bout after the doctor stopped the fight after the second round.[11]

On November 15, 2019, at Bellator 234, he faced Russian submission specialist Grachik Bozinyan, defeating him via unanimous decision.[12]

Vanderford was scheduled to face Daniel Madrid on September 12, 2020, at Bellator 246.[13] However, he had to pull out of the bout due to unknown reasons.[14]

Vanderford was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on November 5, 2020, at Bellator 251.[15] However, Curtis had to pull out of the bout due to a positive COVID test and was replaced by Vinicius de Jesus.[16] Vanderford won the bout via unanimous decision.[17][18]

Vanderford faced Fabian Edwards on May 21, 2021, at Bellator 259, defeating him via unanimous decision.[19]

Vanderford fought for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship against Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 275 on February 25, 2022, at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.[20] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[21]

Vanderford was scheduled to face Anthony Adams at Bellator 284 on August 12, 2022.[22] After Adams pulled out of the bout 2 weeks before the event, Aaron Jeffery stepped in on short notice.[23] He lost the bout in the first round via TKO stoppage.[24]

Vanderford was scheduled to face Imamshafi Aliev on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297.[25] However, at the beginning of June, the bout was scrapped due to unknown reasons.[26]

On February 14, 2024, Vanderford revealed that he negotiated his release from Bellator MMA.[27]

Personal life

In September 2018, Vanderford married Paige VanZant, a former UFC strawweight.[28] The couple began dating the previous year,[29][30] and Vanderford proposed to VanZant in January 2018.[31]

Championships and accomplishments

  • CageSport
    • CS Welterweight Championship (One time; former)[5]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
13 matches 11 wins 2 losses
By knockout 3 2
By submission 3 0
By decision 5 0
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Amateur mixed martial arts record

More information Res., Record ...

Submission grappling record

More information Result, Rec. ...

[32]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    A Kickass Love Story - Trip to Austin's Hometown: Ninilchik, Alaska | S1 E3, retrieved 2021-12-20
  2. [2]
    "Austin Vanderford | Booking Agent | Talent Roster". MN2S. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  3. [3]
    McClory, Mike (2019-11-13). "From Alaska to Israel, Bellator 234's Austin Vanderford Has Had Quite a Journey in MMA". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  4. [4]
    "Austin Vanderford — Alaska High School Hall of Fame". alaskahalloffame.org. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  5. [5]
    "VanZant's Man Wins Weekend Fight, Gets Rushed And Kissed In The Cage By UFC's Sweetheart". MMA Imports. 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  6. [6]
    Eddie Mercado (2018-07-17). "Dana White's Contender Series 13 results: Pilarte among three to earn UFC contract". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  7. [7]
    "Across the Pond Profile: Bellator MMA fighter Austin Vanderford | MMA UK". 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  8. [8]
    "Austin Vanderford Signs With Bellator". FIGHT SPORTS. 2018-12-04. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  9. [9]
    "Austin Vanderford Signs With Bellator MMA | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  10. [10]
    Anderson, Jay (2019-02-15). "Bellator 215 Results: Austin Vanderford Submits Cody Jones Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  11. [11]
    Doherty, Dan (2019-08-24). "Bellator 225 Results: Austin Vanderford Dominates Joseph Creer on Ground". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  12. [12]
    Anderson, Jay (2019-11-15). "Bellator 234 Results: Austin Vanderford Tops Grachik Bozinyan via Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  13. [13]
    "Austin Vanderford booked to fight Daniel Madrid at Bellator 246". MMA Junkie. 2020-08-19. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  14. [14]
    "Austin Vanderford out of Bellator 246; Pat Casey targeted replacement vs. Daniel Madrid". MMA Junkie. 2020-09-04. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  15. [15]
    Heck, Mike (2020-10-26). "Austin Vanderford vs. Chris Curtis among additions to Bellator 251 fight card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  16. [16]
    Lee, Alexander K. (2020-11-02). "Chris Curtis off Bellator 251 due to positive COVID-19 test, Vinicius de Jesus steps in to fight Austin Vanderford". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  17. [17]
    Anderson, Jay (2020-11-05). "Bellator 251 Results: Austin Vanderford Maintains Perfect Record with Decision Win Over Vinicius De Jesus". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  18. [18]
    "Vanderford wins Bellator 251 fight by decision, moves to 10-0". Alaska Sports Hall Of Fame. 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  19. [19]
    "Bellator 259 results: Austin Vanderford suffers nasty gash in decision win vs. Fabian Edwards". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  20. [20]
    DNA, MMA (2021-12-15). "Gegard Mousasi verdedigt titel tegen Austin Vanderford op 25 februari in Dublin". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  21. [21]
    Anderson, Jay (2022-02-25). "Bellator 275: Gegard Mousasi Stuns, Stops Austin Vanderford in Drubbing". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  22. [22]
    King, Nolan (2022-07-12). "Bellator 284 adds Austin Vanderford vs. Anthony Adams". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
  23. [23]
    Hannoun, Farah (2022-08-04). "With Anthony Adams out, Aaron Jeffery steps in to face Austin Vanderford at Bellator 284". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  24. [24]
    Anderson, Jay (2022-08-12). "Bellator 284: Aaron Jeffery Drops, Finishes Austin Vanderford Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  25. [25]
    Jr, Adam Guillen (2023-05-03). "Vanderford Returns, Faces Undefeated Aliev At Bellator 297". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  26. [26]
    "Bellator 297 loses two bouts including former title challenger". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  27. [27]
    Martin, Damon (2024-02-14). "Paige VanZant announces she accepted boxing match with date expected in May or June". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  28. [28]
    "Paige VanZant Gets Married | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  29. [29]
    Ess, Russel (August 22, 2017). "Sounds like Paige VanZant just announced she has a boyfriend". bjpenn.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  30. [30]
    "Paige VanZant: "Sorry guys, I'm off the market. I am seeing somebody, he is also an MMA Fighter"". wmmarankings.com. September 6, 2017. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  31. [31]
    "Paige VanZant got engaged". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  32. [32]
    Sherdog.com. "Austin Vanderford". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
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