SEATTLE – Austin Vanderford beat Nikolay Veretennikov with a second-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 252 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Take a look inside the fight with Vanderford, a former Bellator title challenger who won his UFC debut more than six years after he first fought on DWCS.
Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov
Result: Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:13
Updated records: Vanderford (13-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Veretennikov (12-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stats: Vanderford had more than seven minutes of control time
Vanderford on the fight’s key moment
“Yeah, (Veretennikov will probably get cut for pushing me after the fight). It’s tough (losing), and for me, no hard feelings. I know that sacrifices and what we do to go out there and to perform. I know the dreams and aspirations we all have, so I feel for the guy. But I mean, you go out there and you get dominated and then throw a fit (for losing), you probably don’t deserve to be here.”
Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Austin Vanderford (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Nikolay Veretennikov (red gloves) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Vanderford on support in move from 185 to 170
“I think just getting the right team around me – nutritionist and my coaches and stuff – and funny enough, making 170 for me now is easier than making 185. That’s just the mentality and the discipline and the changes in my life I had to make to do that. I had some good wins against some quality guys at 185, but I think at 170 you’ll really be able to see a a guy who can go out there and make a push at this. I have all the belief in the world with myself and I’m excited to go do that here in the UFC.”
Feb 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Austin Vanderford (blue gloves) and Paige VanZant (right) celebrate defeating Nikolay Veretennikov (red gloves, not pictured) in the catchweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Vanderford on what he wants next
“I’ll just go back, stay the course and get right back. I want to be really active this year and you know hopefully get back on in a month, two months or whatever. They’ve got a card in Miami. It would be cool to sneak on that. I’ll get right back to work.”
To hear more from Vanderford, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
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