Austin Vanderford, formerly from and with roots in Ninilchik, recorded a unanimous decision on the main card, middleweight MMA bout at Bellator 251 on Thursday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
Vanderford, undefeated in his professional career with a 10-0 MMA record and a 4-0 BMMA record, defeated Vinicius de Jesus in the prime time middleweight pairing. Vanderford now sports a 4-0 record in Bellator Fighting Championships matches.
Austin Vanderford is a 2008 graduate of Ninilchik School and a 2019 inductee to the Alaska School Activities Association Hall of Fame. Austin was a two-time ASAA State Wrestling champion (2007-160 lbs, 2006-152 lbs) and multi-sport athlete for the Wolverines.
Austin wrestled at Southern Oregon University capturing a national NAIA Championship and twice earning NAIA All-American honors.
