It might seem like a daunting task for Austin Vanderford to face a legend like Gegard Mousasi in his first attempt to become a Bellator champion.
Given that Mousasi is five times more experienced and has been in 11 titles fights — Vanderford has the exact same amount of bouts on his professional resume — it’s easy to see why he’s considered a substantial underdog going into Bellator 275 in Ireland on Friday.
Of course, none of this is news to Vanderford — and in a strange way, it actually makes him even happier that he’s going into a fight where it seems like everyone is already counting him out.
” I have respect for his achievements and all the work he does in this sport. But I always smile when I think about them, because it is clear that I am capable of doing what I want to do,” Vanderford said to MMA Fighting. “I know what I’m capable of. I know I train with guys that are better than him. He knows I will outwork me in camp and I am confident that I will show my skills when the time comes for fight night.
” It’s fun, and I love being the underdog. I just want to feel that way. Everyone should feel like “Paige VanZant is really f*cking awful ass.” It makes me happy even just thinking about it. It makes me want to cry. I just get so emotional and so excited for it.”
Prior to his appearance on Dana White‘s Contender Series and then his undefeated run in Bellator, Vanderford’s biggest claim to fame was his marriage to former UFC star Paige VanZant, who is undeniably one of the most well-known names in MMA.
Having a famous wife could easily bruise a man’s ego, but don’t ever count Vanderford among them.
Vanderford is fondly known as “Mr. VanZant” because he’s the proudest husband in the world, and the quiet confidence he’s always shown in himself is how he got to this point in the first place.
“What is more alpha than going out there and getting in a fist fight for a living?” Vanderford said. Vanderford said, “There isn’t really anything anybody could say. There will be fans, and colleagues that talk sh*t. But it is part of the game. It’s all part of the game. My wife is my biggest supporter and fan.
“I really don’t care about the title of being Mr. VanZant. I think it’s funny. If someone really cares about it, they could fight me about .”
Vanderford can take a major step forward to securing his own legacy with the title bout against Mousasi, which comes after just five fights as part of the Bellator roster.
He actually signed up for the promotion after UFC President Dana White declined to sign him. After winning The Contender Series , it was clear that he would make a good fighter inside the Octagon.
Instead, Vanderford ended up in Bellator, and while he’ll never burn bridges because there’s always a chance he could fight in the UFC one day, he couldn’t have asked for a better situation than the one he’s had for the past three years.
“I’m a religious guy, and I believe in God and I believe that things are just set up for whatever reason, and that’s just what it was,” Vanderford said. Vanderford said, “I wasn’t signed that day because God had different plans for me. There’s no ill will. It’s not something I think about.
“Scott Coker and Mike Kogan taking a chance with me, and I just re-signed a new deal and it’s better than I could ever imagine. Thinking back to fighting for $500 f*cking dollars. I’m about to headline a title fight in Bellator. I’m forever grateful for that opportunity.”
While details surrounding Vanderford’s contract are confidential, he is not unhappy with the agreement he signed. It was completed before his fight against Mousasi.
“I have my wife, and she is the breadwinner. But, if Paige wasn’t there, I’d still be able fight and wouldn’t need to worry about anything,” Vanderford laughed. That’s possible because of Bellator.
“I couldn’t confidently say that at this point in my career that I’d have that same deal with the UFC. I actually really don’t think I would. Bellator is my happy fighter .”
Vanderford will be even happier if he can dispatch Mousasi, move to 12-0 in his career, and most importantly, become the new Bellator middleweight champion.
“As funny as it sounds, going in there to fight for a title and it’s my first time fighting for a title, but I’m going to go in there and take him into my world,” Vanderford said. I train with men who beat him. “King Mo” [Muhammad Lawal]. is my trainer. I’m so confident in myself going in there.”
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