Austin Vanderford
The UFC president created the weekly fight series last year to promote unknown fighters. In some ways, it’s also a tryout.
Either way, it brought the Alaskan closer with his dream of fighting in the world’s most successful mixed martial arts league.
Vanderford, of Ninilchik High fame, will put his 4-0 professional record on the line July 17 against Angelo Trevino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trevino is 7-2.
Vanderford owns an impressive wrestling resume that includes a NAIA national title at Southern Oregon University and two state titles in high school in Alaska.
He started his MMA career with a 4-0 record as an amateur before turning pro in March 2017.
Vanderford’s most recent win came in December, when he was victorious in his promotional debut for Victory Fighting Championship over Kenny Licea with a second-round submission on the VFC 59 card in Omaha, Nebraska.