Austin Vanderford, 2008 graduate of Ninilchik School, ASAA state wrestling champion in 2006 & 2007, and ASAA Alaska High School Hall of Fame inductee into the Class 2019; will battle for the MMA Middleweight championship on Friday in Dublin, Ireland.
Vanderford’s match against the current MMA Middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi will be the main event fight at the Bellator 275 event at the 3Arena in Dublin.
Vanderford owns an MMA record of 11-0 (5-0 BMMA) and faces the current champion Mousasi, who owns a record of 48-7-2 in MMA bouts. This will be Vanderford’s first championship fight and his first five-round bout with Bellator.
At the weight-in event, Vanderford weighed-in at 183.7 pounds; Mousasi, at 184.6 pounds.
Vanderford stated, ” I expect him to be Gegard and not much will change from all of his previous fights. I’m just a different animal and a different opponent that he’ll be facing up against. I feel good. I’m confident. I’m excited for Friday night. … I think just even going into the fight, I knew he’s as well-rounded as they come for any opponent.”
The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Fight time for the main event is scheduled for noon Alaska Time.
