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Austin Vanderford Speaks Out on UFC Seattle Post-Fight Fracas with Nikolay Veretennikov

Austin Vanderford Speaks Out on UFC Seattle Post-Fight Fracas with Nikolay Veretennikov Austin Vanderford delivered a dominant performance in his Octagon debut on Saturday, but it’s what happened after the fight…

Austin Vanderford delivered a dominant performance in his Octagon debut on Saturday, but it’s what happened after the fight that had everyone talking.

Squaring off with Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC Seattle, Vanderford pounded out an impressive technical knockout in the closing minute of the second round. Vanderford celebrated the win by launching his mouthpiece into the crowd, but little did he know that Veretennikov was still looking scrap.

As Mr. Paige VanZant played to the crowd, Veretennikov circled the Octagon in frustration before making a B-line for Vanderford and shoving the former Bellator star in the back. Vanderford shoved him back before security stepped in and separated the two.

Nikolay Veretennikov landed his biggest shot on Austin Vanderford after the fight lol

pic.twitter.com/mLnFVtb2w1

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 23, 2025

Austin Vanderford says referee saved Veretennikov from taking more damage

Speaking with Full Send MMA backstage, Vanderford offered his take on the post-fight encounter.

“I’m not really sure what he was complaining about,” he said. “He was never getting out of that position we were in and he was just going to get hurt even worse. He’s lucky that the ref saved him, to be honest.”

Vanderford was also made aware that the double bird he flipped Veretennikov quickly went viral on social media, getting a laugh out of the UFC newcomer.

“Of course, our emotions are running and he starts talking sh*t,” Vanderford added. “He comes up calling me a b*tch. I mean, who was cut up and getting their ass beat. That’s just the way it’s gonna go.”

Vanderford improved his overall record to 12-2 with the win in ‘Emerald City’ and has now won back-to-back bouts following a 65-second knockout of Victor Romero at LFA 194 in October. Vanderford’s wife, former UFC fighter turned OnlyFans model, bare-knuckle brawler, boxer, and Power Slap star Paige VanZant, joined him inside the Octagon to celebrate the victory.

“Welcome to the [UFC], baby!” VanZant wrote on Instagram.

Austin Vanderford Speaks Out on UFC Seattle Post-Fight Fracas with Nikolay Veretennikov

Austin Vanderford delivered a dominant performance in his Octagon debut on Saturday, but it’s what happened after the fight…

Austin Vanderford delivered a dominant performance in his Octagon debut on Saturday, but it’s what happened after the fight that had everyone talking.

Nikolay Veretennikov landed his biggest shot on Austin Vanderford after the fight lol

pic.twitter.com/mLnFVtb2w1

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 23, 2025

Austin Vanderford says referee saved Veretennikov from taking more damage

Speaking with Full Send MMA backstage, Vanderford offered his take on the post-fight encounter.

“I’m not really sure what he was complaining about,” he said. “He was never getting out of that position we were in and he was just going to get hurt even worse. He’s lucky that the ref saved him, to be honest.”

Vanderford was also made aware that the double bird he flipped Veretennikov quickly went viral on social media, getting a laugh out of the UFC newcomer.

“Of course, our emotions are running and he starts talking sh*t,” Vanderford added. “He comes up calling me a b*tch. I mean, who was cut up and getting their ass beat. That’s just the way it’s gonna go.”

“Welcome to the [UFC], baby!” VanZant wrote on Instagram.

Austin Vanderford, Husband Of Paige VanZant, Set For Late-Notice UFC Debut In Seattle

Former Bellator title challenger Austin Vanderford is heading to the Octagon. Vanderford (12-2), who is the husband of former UFC fighter and recent GFL signing Paige VanZant, has signed with the UFC after entering free agency in February 2024. The signing was first reported by Kyle Dimond. And “The Gentleman” won’t have long to wait […]

Former Bellator title challenger Austin Vanderford is heading to the Octagon.

Vanderford (12-2), who is the husband of former UFC fighter and recent GFL signing Paige VanZant, has signed with the UFC after entering free agency in February 2024.

The signing was first reported by Kyle Dimond.

Per @FirstRoundMgmt , former Bellator middleweight title challenger Austin Vanderford has signed with the UFC.

“The Gentleman” made his return to competition in October last year where he got a first round finish on LFA. pic.twitter.com/WjbIT2GnnA

— Kyle Dimond (@KyleDimondJou) February 18, 2025

And “The Gentleman” won’t have long to wait at all until his debut on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Per Full Send MMA, Vanderford will make the walk under the UFC banner for the first time at this weekend’s event in Seattle, Washington. The card has been plagued by withdrawals in recent days and weeks, with the latest being Billy Ray Goff’s late-notice pullout.

His opponent, Kazakhstan’s Nikolay Veretennikov, will remain on the card, facing UFC newcomer Vanderford.

The 34-year-old Californian suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Gegard Mousasi in 2022, unsuccessfully challenging the veteran’s Bellator middleweight reign. A second straight first-round loss to Aaron Jeffrey followed, and Vanderford didn’t compete again before his exit soon after the PFL’s acquisition of his previous employer.

After returning to winning ways with a 65-second knockout at LFA 194 last October, “The Gentlemen” will look to start life in the UFC in similar fashion at the Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday night.

Paige VanZant Preps for Next MMA Bout Alongside UFC Contender Kayla Harrison at American Top Team

Paige VanZant and Kayla Harrison are training together at the renowned American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, Florida,…

Paige VanZant and Kayla Harrison are training together at the renowned American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, Florida, as they prepare for key fights in their respective careers. With UFC gold and a GFL MMA debut on the line, 2025 could be a pillar year in the legacy of both athletes.

Paige VanZant Trains With Kayla Harrison

American Top Team has long been a hub for elite fighters across various disciplines, and both VanZant and Harrison have found a supportive environment there. Kayla Harrison has been training at ATT since transitioning to MMA in 2016. VanZant recently returned to ATT to prepare for her GFL MMA debut, working alongside Harrison and other top-tier athletes.

Kayla Harrison is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo and one of the most decorated judokas in American history. After transitioning to MMA, she dominated the PFL, winning two lightweight championships before joining the UFC in 2024. Harrison has quickly established herself as a top contender in the bantamweight division with victories over Ketlen Vieira and the former champion Holly Holm. She is now positioned for a potential interim title fight against Raquel Pennington while awaiting clarity on Julianna Pena’s status as champion.

Paige VanZant rose to fame in the UFC with her fighting style and personality. She achieved a 5-4 record during her UFC tenure, with her best win being a flying head kick knockout against Bec Rawlings. After leaving the UFC in 2020, VanZant explored other combat sports, including bare-knuckle boxing, professional wrestling with AEW, and Dana White’s Power Slap league. She recently announced her return to the sport of MMA by signing with the GFL where she will represent Team Miami.

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc 6 1

To help her get ready for her GFL debut, Paige VanZant trained with Olympian and UFC contender Kayla Harrison.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant)

Paige VanZant’s GFL MMA debut and Kayla Harrison’s potential UFC title fight, the two have aligned their schedules to train with each other at ATT. 2025 could be a career-defining year for both.

Paige VanZant Preps for Next MMA Bout Alongside UFC Contender Kayla Harrison at American Top Team

Paige VanZant and Kayla Harrison are training together at the renowned American Top Team facility in Coconut Creek, Florida,…

Paige VanZant Trains With Kayla Harrison

To help her get ready for her GFL debut, Paige VanZant trained with Olympian and UFC contender Kayla Harrison.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant)

Paige VanZant’s GFL MMA debut and Kayla Harrison’s potential UFC title fight, the two have aligned their schedules to train with each other at ATT. 2025 could be a career-defining year for both.

Photos: Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich: A Rivalry Across Two Sports – UFC and Bare-Knuckle

UFC stars Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich faced off twice in high-profile bouts. With each fighter claiming one victory,…

UFC stars Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich faced off twice in high-profile bouts. With each fighter claiming one victory, their rivalry spanned both mixed martial arts in the UFC and bare-knuckle boxing under the BKFC banner. These are some highlight photos from their matchups.

Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich – Photo Gallery

UFC

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc 1 — Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich

Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich crossed paths twice in combat sports, with each athlete securing a victory and leaving a mark on the other’s career. Their first clash took place on January 19, 2019, in the UFC, where VanZant won via a second-round armbar submission.

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc 3 — Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich

This fight was particularly significant for Ostovich, who returned to competition following a highly publicized recovery from injuries sustained in a domestic violence incident.

BKFC

The rematch came on July 23, 2021, under BKFC rules. This time, Ostovich turned the tables, winning by unanimous decision in a closely contested fight that earned “Fight of the Night” honors. The victory was a defining moment for Ostovich, as she avenged her earlier loss.

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc wi 1

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc wi 5

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich ufc wi 3

paige vanzant vs rachael ostovich 7 — Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich

Modeling

VanZant transitioned into modeling, social media, and entrepreneurial ventures. She appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2019 and later became a top content creator on subscription-based platforms, reportedly earning more in a single day than during her entire UFC tenure.

Her career also expanded into professional wrestling, slapfighting, and acting. In January 2025, VanZant announced her return to MMA with the Global Fight League, adding another chapter to her career.

Ostovich followed a similar path, focusing on modeling and social media after her fighting career slowed. After her victory in BKFC, she signed a multi-year deal with the promotion but has yet to return to competition. Instead, she has concentrated on her own subscription-based content platform and modeling work.

Beyond the ring, both VanZant and Ostovich have leveraged their combat sports fame to build successful careers outside of fighting.