Austin Vanderford Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, UFC, Instagram, MMA, Height

Austin Vanderford, known as Austin “The Gentleman” Vanderford, is an American professional mixed martial artist and former collegiate wrestler who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Renowned for his wrestling prowess, he previously fought in Bellator MMA, where he challenged for the Middleweight World Championship.

Vanderford gained additional recognition as the husband of former UFC fighter Paige VanZant, with whom he forms a prominent MMA power couple.

Profile

• Full Name: Austin Vanderford
• Stage Name: Austin “The Gentleman” Vanderford
• Born: March 21, 1990
• Age: 35 years old
• Birthplace: Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist
• Height: 1.80m
• Parents: Mr. Vanderford, Mrs. Vanderford
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Paige VanZant (m. 2018)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Austin Vanderford was born on March 21, 1990, in Santa Rosa, California, and moved to Ninilchik, Alaska, at nine months old, where he was raised by parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Vanderford. Information about his siblings is not publicly available.

His passion for wrestling emerged early, leading him to become a two-time Alaska State Wrestling Champion in high school. He attended Southern Oregon University, earning a bachelor’s degree and becoming the NAIA National Wrestling Champion in 2012 at 184 lbs, along with two-time NAIA All-American honors. His ethnicity is American, and his religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Austin Vanderford began his combat sports journey as an amateur MMA fighter in 2015, going undefeated at 4-0 with a first-round submission at Battle in the Burg 3. He turned professional in 2017, debuting at Prime Fighting 9 with a first-round TKO over Sol Renato.

Vanderford quickly built an undefeated 6-0 record on the regional circuit, capturing the CageSport Welterweight title against Ben Fodor at CageSport 47. His performance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, where he submitted Angelo Trevino via rear-naked choke, showcased his potential but did not secure a UFC contract. He then signed with Bellator MMA, debuting at Bellator 215 in 2019 with a first-round arm-triangle choke submission over Cody Jones.

Vanderford’s Bellator tenure saw him rise to prominence, maintaining an undefeated streak with wins over Joseph Creer (TKO, Bellator 225), Grachik Bozinyan (unanimous decision, Bellator 234), Vinicius de Jesus (unanimous decision, Bellator 251), and Fabian Edwards (unanimous decision, Bellator 259), earning a No. 1 ranking in Bellator’s Middleweight division.

In 2022, he challenged Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight World Championship at Bellator 275 but lost via first-round TKO, marking his first professional defeat. He faced another loss to Aaron Jeffery via TKO at Bellator 284. After rebounding with a first-round TKO in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) in 2024, Vanderford negotiated his release from Bellator and signed with the UFC.

Vanderford made his UFC debut on February 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle, defeating Nikolay Veretennikov via second-round TKO at a 175-pound catchweight bout, a significant milestone in his career. His wrestling background, including a black belt in wrestling, remains a cornerstone of his fighting style, complemented by his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (purple belt) and striking.

Vanderford’s journey from a small-town Alaskan wrestler to a UFC contender reflects his dedication, with his social media presence amplifying his and his wife’s influence in the MMA community. His recent performances position him as a promising figure in the UFC Middleweight division.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @austinv170mma
• Twitter Handle: @austinv170mma

Personal Life

Austin Vanderford married former UFC fighter Paige VanZant in September 2018 after a whirlwind romance that began in 2017 when they met as training partners. Vanderford proposed in January 2018, and the couple, affectionately calling each other “Huzzy Bear” and “Wifey Bear,” share a strong bond, often posting about their travels and training on social media.

They have no children and live in Coconut Creek, Florida, training at American Top Team Portland.

Net Worth

Austin Vanderford has an estimated net worth of $1 million. His primary income sources include fight purses from his UFC and former Bellator contracts, with his UFC debut earning him significant attention. His wife’s high-profile career also contributes to their combined brand value, with appearances and potential speaking engagements adding to his financial portfolio.