Austin Vanderford made a stellar debut in the UFC, dominating Nikolay Veretennikov with a second-round technical knockout at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle. The 34-year-old American, also known as the husband of former UFC star Paige VanZant, showcased his superior grappling skills, taking Veretennikov to the canvas and unleashing a barrage of strikes.
Vanderford’s performance was impressive, considering he took the fight on just four days’ notice. He demonstrated his readiness for the UFC level, controlling the match from the outset and landing significant blows early on. The referee stopped the fight at 4:13 of the second round, marking Vanderford’s 13th win in his MMA career.
However, the victory was marred by a post-fight altercation between Vanderford and Veretennikov. The Kazakh fighter, who was unhappy with the stoppage, approached Vanderford and shoved him from behind, prompting security to intervene. The incident sparked controversy, with many calling for disciplinary action against Veretennikov.
Austin Vanderford had a dream UFC debut despite the controversy
Regardless of the drama, Austin Vanderford remained focused and celebrated his victory with his team. He expressed his excitement about making his UFC debut and acknowledged that he had taken the fight on short notice. Vanderford’s win marks a significant step in his UFC career, and he will likely look to build on this momentum in his future fights.
In contrast, Veretennikov’s loss marks his second consecutive defeat in the UFC, and he will need to reassess his approach and strategies to get back on track. The Kazakh fighter had previously shown promise in his MMA career, winning championships with Fury FC and UFL, but his transition to the UFC has been marred by setbacks.
