Vanderford was born in Santa Rosa, California, before moving at the age of 9 months old to Ninilchik, Alaska. He would develop a taste for competitive sport while wrestling for his high school team, where he became a 2-time Alaska State Wrestling Champion (2007-160 lbs, 2006-152 lbs) in his junior and senior years.
Vanderford wrestled at Southern Oregon University, becoming the NAIA National Wrestling Champion in 2012 (184 lbs.) and was a 2-time NAIA All-American wrestler. After finishing his college career graduating with a bachelor's degree, he took up a coaching job with the university for a couple of years, before following his desire to fight competitively. Vanderford would win all four bouts of his amateur career as a welterweight.[1][2][3][4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Making his professional debut at Prime Fighting 9 on March 11, 2017, Vanderford faced Sol Renato, going on to defeat him via TKO in first round. He went on to defeat his next two opponents, Adam Fugitt and Ben Fodor, both via unanimous decisions, winning the CageSport Welterweight title against the later at CageSport 47.[5] He would go on to tap out Kenny Licea in the second round via rear-naked choke at VFC 59, before he was invited to face Angelo Trevino on July 17, 2018, at Dana White's Contender Series 13. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two, however did not secure a contract with the UFC.[6] In his last bout on the regionals, Vanderford faced Brazil's Edmilson Freitas, knocking him out in the first round.[7]
Bellator MMA
After going undefeated in 6 bouts on the regional scene, Vanderford signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.[8][9]
In his debut appearance with Bellator MMA at Bellator 215 on February 15, 2019, he took on Cody Jones and submitted him via arm-triangle choke in the first round.[10]
Vanderford faced Joseph Creer at Bellator 225 on August 25, 2019, winning the bout after the doctor stopped the fight after the second round.[11]
On November 15, 2019, at Bellator 234, he faced Russian submission specialist Grachik Bozinyan, defeating him via unanimous decision.[12]
Vanderford was scheduled to face Daniel Madrid on September 12, 2020, at Bellator 246.[13] However, he had to pull out of the bout due to unknown reasons.[14]
Vanderford was scheduled to face Chris Curtis on November 5, 2020, at Bellator 251.[15] However, Curtis had to pull out of the bout due to a positive COVID test and was replaced by Vinicius de Jesus.[16] Vanderford won the bout via unanimous decision.[17][18]
Vanderford was scheduled to face Anthony Adams at Bellator 284 on August 12, 2022.[22] After Adams pulled out of the bout 2 weeks before the event, Aaron Jeffery stepped in on short notice.[23] He lost the bout in the first round via TKO stoppage.[24]
Vanderford was scheduled to face Imamshafi Aliev on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297.[25] However, at the beginning of June, the bout was scrapped due to unknown reasons.[26]
On February 14, 2024, Vanderford revealed that he negotiated his release from Bellator MMA.[27]
Personal life
In September 2018, Vanderford married Paige VanZant, a former UFC strawweight.[28] The couple began dating the previous year,[29][30] and Vanderford proposed to VanZant in January 2018.[31]
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