mma / News

Austin Vanderford Couldn’t Be More Excited to Fight For Bellator

February 15, 2019 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Austin Vanderford spoke with MMAjunkie ahead of his Bellator debut against Cody Jones at Bellator 215 tonight. Highlights are below:

On signing with Bellator after fighting in Dana White’s Contender Series: “I had my fight with the Contender Series and I felt like I had a good performance and did what they said they were looking for in terms of having an exciting fight and getting a finish. Things happened and I didn’t get the contract. But I feel like everything happens for a reason, and it set me up. I did get that taste, but now I’m here and I love where I’m at. I got the opportunity to come to Bellator, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

On being married to Paige VanZant: “I started wrestling when I was 5 years old. I joke – everyone does – I feel like I was born and bred for this. I’ve competed my entire life. This definitely is the biggest stage I’ve been on, but I won a national title in college for wrestling, and I’ve been able to compare quite a bit with Paige – I kind of did get thrown into I guess celebrity status and experiencing some of the things with her as far as social media and bigger platforms. So I’ve been prepared for this. I’m ready and I’m excited.”