Austin Vanderford
Ninilchik’s Austin Vanderford won another MMA fight to push his professional record to 9-0.
The 29-year-old earned a unanimous decision over Russian Grachik Bozinyan at Bellator 234 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Vanderford, of Ninilchik High fame, used a fabulous final-round effort to escape with a win over a fighter who came in with a 10-3 record.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28.
Vanderford was effective early with kicks before he relied on his wrestling background to control the third period and pull out the victory over a tough opponent.
It was his third win by decision. Three other wins have come by submission and another three by knockout.
Before joining the MMA world, Vanderford won a NAIA national championship at Southern Oregon and two state titles in high school in Alaska.