UFC Seattle: Austin Vanderford Set for Long-Awaited Octagon Debut in Seattle

The UFC has signed Austin Vanderford to make his promotional debut on short notice at UFC Seattle. The 34-year-old fighter, known for his successful stint in Bellator and his marriage to former UFC star Paige VanZant, will step into the Octagon for the first time this Saturday at the Climate Pledge Arena.

Vanderford (12-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is slated to face Nikolay Veretennikov (12-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a 175-pound catchweight bout on the preliminary card. This last-minute addition comes as a welcome relief to event organizers, as the card has been plagued by injuries and cancellations.

Austin Vanderford (12-2) has signed with the UFC. He’ll debut vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (12-5) at #UFCSeattle this weekend, multiple sources confirm. First reported by @full_send_mma. Story headed to @MMAJunkie. pic.twitter.com/KxDzNJOClU

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 18, 2025

A Long Road to the UFC

Vanderford’s journey to the UFC has been anything but conventional. Thirteen years after beginning his competitive MMA career, the Pacific Northwest native will finally realize his dream of fighting in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

After compiling an impressive 5-2 record in Bellator from 2019 to 2022, including a valiant effort in a title challenge against Gegard Mousasi, Vanderford found himself at a crossroads following the PFL-Bellator merger. Undeterred, he made his mark in the LFA, securing a swift 65-second victory in October, which undoubtedly caught the UFC’s attention.

Austin Vanderford most recent fight in LFA was a round 1 TKO, in Oct. 24

Vanderford debuts in the UFC Saturday in Seattle.#UFCSeattle #MMA
pic.twitter.com/2IFx35EdVa

— Delinquent MMA (@DelinquentMMA) February 18, 2025

Vanderford’s signing is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport. His debut in Seattle, close to his Pacific Northwest roots, adds an extra layer of significance to this milestone in his career.

UFC Seattle: A Card of Opportunities

The addition of Vanderford vs. Veretennikov bolsters an already intriguing fight card. UFC Seattle features a mix of established names and rising talents, promising an evening of high-stakes action for MMA fans. Headlining the event is a bantamweight clash between former two-division champion Henry Cejudo and the surging Chinese prospect Song Yadong. This main event could have significant implications for the division’s title picture.

Fight Week has officially STARTED! 👋

[ #UFCSeattle | Saturday on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ws4B7fnp3o

— UFC (@ufc) February 17, 2025

The main card also features an exciting middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez, as well as matchups showcasing the likes of Melsik Baghdasaryan, Rob Font, and Alonzo Menifield. On the preliminary card, alongside Vanderford’s debut, fans can look forward to seeing veteran Andre Fili take on Melquizael Costa, and the hard-hitting Ion Cutelaba face off against Ibo Aslan.

Vanderford’s opponent, Nikolay Veretennikov, is no stranger to the pressure of UFC debuts. The 35-year-old Russian fighter, who earned his spot through ‘Dana White’s Contender Series,’ will be looking to bounce back from a split decision loss in his promotional debut last August.

As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on Vanderford to see if he can translate his previous success to the UFC stage. His catchweight bout at 175 pounds suggests a potential future at either welterweight or middleweight, adding an element of intrigue to his divisional prospects.

UFC Seattle will air on ESPN+, with the preliminary card starting at 6 p.m. ET and the main card following at 9 p.m. ET. For fight fans and analysts alike, this event promises to deliver a night of thrilling action and potential career-defining moments.