Hubbry Logo
search
logo
Jared Vanderaa avatar
Jared Vanderaa
Jared Vanderaa
current hub
J

Jared Vanderaa

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Read side by side
Jared Vanderaa
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Jared Vanderaa (born May 12, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Vanderaa was born in Washington but moved around a lot with his mother in pursuit of opportunities, eventually settling in California.[6] Vanderaa started training MMA in February 2010, right after wrestling season, and had his amateur first fight in October 2010. He started wrestling at 15, a sophomore in high school and then dislocated his shoulder right at the end of the season. He got it fixed and joined an MMA gym immediately after, beginning his MMA journey.[7] He attended California Baptist University but dropped out after a couple of days.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Vanderaa competed as an amateur from 2012 to 2015, in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. He compiled a record of 5–4.[9] In his professional debut, he submitted John Rizzo via rear-naked choke in the first round. Vanderaa defeated his next four foes all by stoppages. Vanderaa faced Richard Odoms at LFA 15 for the LFA Heavyweight Championship on June 30, 2017. He lost the bout via kimura in the 5th round.[10]

After tapping out Idrees Wasi in first round at Global Knockout 10, he made his Extreme Fighting Championship debut in South Africa at EFC 66, losing the split decision to Andrew van Zyl for the EFC Heavyweight Championship.[11]

After losing a short notice bout via unanimous decision to Vernon Lewis at LFA 35,[12] Vanderaa defeated Elvis Moyo via TKO in the second round at EFC 73. Vanderaa then defeated UFC veteran Ruan Potts via TKO in round two at EFC 76, winning the EFC Heavyweight Championship.[13] At EFC 77, Vanderaa defended the title, defeating Ricky Mischolas via TKO in the second round. At LFA 74, Vanderaa lost to Renan Ferreira via triangle choke submission in the second round.[14] He rebounded, defeating Tony Lopez via unanimous decision at SMASH Global 9, winning the Smash Global Heavyweight Championship.[15]

At Dana White's Contender Series 34, Vanderaa defeated Harry Hunsucker via TKO in the first round, securing him a contract from the UFC.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

Vanderaa was scheduled to face Serghei Spivac on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256[17] However, Vanderaa tested positive for COVID-19 during fight week and had to withdraw.[18] The pair eventually met on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185.[19] Vanderaa lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[20]

Vanderaa faced Justin Tafa on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[22] This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.[23]

Vanderaa faced Alexander Romanov on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez.[24] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[25]

Vanderaa was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov, replacing Philipe Lins on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.[26] However, shortly after the weigh-ins, officials announced that the bout had been canceled due to Vanderaa not being medically cleared.[27]

Vanderaa faced Andrei Arlovski on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271.[28] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[29]

Vanderaa faced Aleksei Oleinik, replacing Ilir Latifi, on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.[30] He lost the fight via scarf hold submission in the first round.[31]

Vanderaa faced Chase Sherman on July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev.[32] He lost the fight via knockout in round three.[33]

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Vanderaa faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213.[34][4] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

After five straight losses, Vanderaa was released by the UFC in December 2022.[36]

Post-UFC career

[edit]

As the first bout of his post-UFC tenure Vanderaa faced Nick Costello at Gladiator Challenge – Proving Ground on March 4, 2023. He won the bout via first-minute submission.[9]

He then made his light heavyweight debut against Chuck Campbell at Lights Out Fighting 10 on August 26, 2023, losing via third-round knockout.[37]

Vanderaa next faced the undefeated Kent Mafileo at Fierce FC 30 on February 10, 2024. He would win the bout via second round submission.[38]

Vanderaa would then face Eric Iman at Fierce FC 32 on May 31, 2024. He would win the bout via first round submission.[39]

Vanderaa would next face Alexey Kiser at LXF 17 on June 15, 2024. He would win the fight via first round technical knockout extending his win streak to three.[40]

Personal life

[edit]

Vanderaa and his fiancée Lauren have two daughters, born in 2017 and 2021.[41]

Vanderaa and his fiancée own the Team Quest gym in Hemet, which is the successor of PrimeTime MMA where Jared began his career.[2][42]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
30 matches 18 wins 12 losses
By knockout 8 5
By submission 7 3
By decision 3 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–12 Jake Craig TKO (punches) Unified MMA 64 October 3, 2025 1 4:10 Enoch, Alberta, Canada For the vacant Unified MMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 18–11 Jordan Currie Submission (rear-naked choke) Fierce FC 39 March 29, 2025 3 3:13 Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States Defended the Fierce FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 17–11 Demoreo Dennis Decision (unanimous) Z Promotions: Fight Night 20 August 23, 2024 3 5:00 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Win 16–11 Alexey Kiser TKO (punches) LXF 17 June 16, 2024 1 2:27 Pauma Valley, California, United States
Win 15–11 Eric Iman Submission (rear-naked choke) Fierce FC 32 May 31, 2024 1 1:39 West Valley City, Utah, United States Defended the Fierce FC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 14–11 Kent Mafileo Submission (guillotine choke) Fierce FC 30 February 10, 2024 2 3:46 West Valley City, Utah, United States Won the Fierce FC Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 13–11 Chuck Campbell KO (punch) LXF 10 August 26, 2023 3 4:34 Pauma Valley, California, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 13–10 Nick Costello Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Challenge: Proving Ground March 4, 2023 1 0:46 Valley Center, California, United States
Loss 12–10 Waldo Cortes-Acosta Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen October 29, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–9 Chase Sherman TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev July 9, 2022 3 3:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–8 Aleksei Oleinik Submission (scarf hold) UFC 273 April 9, 2022 1 3:39 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Loss 12–7 Andrei Arlovski Decision (split) UFC 271 February 12, 2022 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 12–6 Alexander Romanov TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez October 9, 2021 2 4:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–5 Justin Tafa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt May 22, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 11–5 Serghei Spivac TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis February 20, 2021 2 4:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–4 Harry Hunsucker TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 34 November 4, 2020 1 3:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 Tony Lopez Decision (unanimous) SMASH Global 9 December 19, 2019 5 5:00 Hollywood, California, United States Won the SG Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 9–4 Renan Ferreira Submission (triangle choke) LFA 74 August 30, 2019 2 2:37 Riverside, California, United States
Win 9–3 Ricky Misholas TKO (punches) EFC 77 March 16, 2019 2 1:49 Pretoria, South Africa Defended the EFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–3 Ruan Potts TKO (punches) EFC 76 December 8, 2018 3 3:24 Pretoria, South Africa Won the interim EFC Heavyweight Championship. Later promoted to undisputed champion.
Win 7–3 Elvis Moyo TKO (punches) EFC 73 September 7, 2018 2 2:00 Sun City, South Africa
Loss 6–3 Vernon Lewis Decision (unanimous) LFA 35 March 9, 2018 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 6–2 Andrew van Zyl Decision (split) EFC 66 December 16, 2017 5 5:00 Pretoria, South Africa For the EFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Idrees Wasi Submission (straight ankle lock) GKO 10 August 5, 2017 1 1:35 Jackson, California, United States
Loss 5–1 Richard Odoms Submission (kimura) LFA 15 June 30, 2017 5 2:45 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States For the inaugural LFA Heavyweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Sean Johnson Submission (guillotine choke) SMASH Global 4 September 15, 2016 1 2:28 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 4–0 Mychal Clark TKO (punches) BAMMA Badbeat 20 June 10, 2016 1 0:20 Commerce, California, United States
Win 3–0 Joe Hernandez KO (punch) SMASH Global 3 March 24, 2016 2 1:13 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 2–0 Daylin Murray TKO (punches) The Main Event 2 November 13, 2015 1 4:11 San Diego, California, United States Heavyweight debut.
Win 1–0 John Rizzo Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Sanctioned June 14, 2015 1 0:29 San Jacinto, California, United States Catchweight (230 lb) bout.

[43]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jared Vanderaa

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jared Vanderaa (born May 12, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes primarily in the heavyweight division, known by the nickname "The Mountain." Fighting out of Hemet, California, he has a professional record of 18 wins and 12 losses, with 8 victories by knockout or technical knockout, 7 by submission, and 3 by decision.[1][2] Vanderaa earned his entry into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with a first-round knockout victory over Harry Hunsucker on Dana White's Contender Series in November 2020.[3] During his UFC tenure from 2021 to 2022, he compiled a record of 1 win and 6 losses across seven bouts, including a unanimous decision win against Justin Tafa in his promotional debut and losses to notable veterans such as Andrei Arlovski, Aleksei Oleinik, and Chase Sherman.[3] His UFC performances showcased a striking accuracy of 44% and significant striking output of 4.96 attempts per minute, though he struggled with takedown defense at 20%.[3] Following his release from the UFC in late 2022, Vanderaa has remained active on the regional circuit. He captured the Fierce Fighting Championship heavyweight title with a second-round submission victory over Kent Mafileo in February 2024 and defended it with a third-round submission of Eric Iman in May 2024. Additional 2024 victories include a first-round TKO of Aleksey Kiser in June under the Lights Out Xtreme Fighting banner and a unanimous decision over Demoreo Dennis in August.[1][4] In 2025, he submitted Jordan Currie in March before suffering a first-round TKO loss to Jake Craig in an unsuccessful bid for the Unified MMA light heavyweight title in October; he defended his Fierce FC heavyweight championship in November.[1] Standing at 6 feet 4 inches with an 80-inch reach, Vanderaa continues to compete as of November 2025, ranked among the top light heavyweight and heavyweight fighters in North American regional promotions.[2][3]

Early life and background

Upbringing and family

Jared Vanderaa was born on May 12, 1992, in Richland, Washington.[2] He moved around frequently with his mother in pursuit of opportunities before eventually relocating to Hemet, California, establishing a long-term base there that supported his personal and professional growth, including co-owning a martial arts gym with his fiancée.[2][5] Details on his immediate family structure during childhood remain limited in public records.

Education and initial athletic involvement

Vanderaa grew up in Hemet, California, a location that facilitated access to robust local high school athletic programs. He began wrestling as a sophomore at West Valley High School at the age of 15, recruited by longtime coach and police officer Nacua, who identified his potential in the sport. This marked Vanderaa's transition from casual activities to structured athletic training, where he became a vital member of the wrestling team and participated in local competitions during his high school years.[6] Prior to wrestling, Vanderaa had played football at West Valley High School, but the demands and intensity of grappling ignited his deeper interest in combat-oriented sports. He graduated from West Valley in 2010, having honed foundational skills in discipline and physical conditioning through these early endeavors.[6] After high school, Vanderaa enrolled at California Baptist University but left after just a couple of days, opting instead to dedicate himself fully to pursuing athletic opportunities in combat sports.[7]

Mixed martial arts career

Amateur and early professional years

Vanderaa began training in mixed martial arts in February 2010, shortly after concluding his high school wrestling career, which provided a foundational base for his grappling development.[7] His amateur debut occurred in October 2010, marking the start of a five-year run in regional California promotions.[6] Competing primarily in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions, Vanderaa amassed an amateur record of 5–4, with finishes in four of his victories.[1] Key wins included a first-round TKO over Andre Williams at Epic Fighting 17 in March 2013 and a second-round TKO against Sergio Sosa at King of the Cage: World Amateur Championships 2 in April 2015.[1] Notable setbacks featured submission losses to Codi Moses and David Durant in Epic Fighting events during 2012, as well as a unanimous decision loss to Jamal Pogues at Epic Fighting 27 in November 2014 and a split decision loss to Pogues at Archangel Worldwide MMA: Road 2 War 3 in March 2015.[1] Vanderaa transitioned to professional competition in 2015, making his debut with a first-round submission victory over John Rizzo via rear-naked choke at King of the Cage: Sanctioned on June 14.[1] Over the next five years, he built a record of 10–4 in organizations including LFA, EFC Worldwide, and Smash Global, often competing at heavyweight after his amateur experience across weight classes.[1] Early professional successes featured quick finishes, such as a second-round knockout of Joe Hernandez at Smash Global: The Main Event 3 in March 2016 and a first-round guillotine choke against Sean Johnson at Smash Global 4 in September 2016.[1] In LFA, Vanderaa challenged for the inaugural heavyweight title at LFA 15 in June 2017 but lost via fifth-round kimura to Richard Odoms; he later dropped a unanimous decision to Vernon Lewis at LFA 35 in March 2018.[1] His international stint with EFC Worldwide proved pivotal, where he secured the interim heavyweight championship with a third-round TKO over Ruan Potts at EFC 76 in December 2018.[1][8] Vanderaa defended the title—elevated to full championship status—with a second-round TKO against Ricky Misholas at EFC 77 in March 2019, though he had previously suffered a split decision loss to Andrew van Zyl at EFC 66 in December 2017.[1][9] Additional regional highlights included a second-round submission loss to Renan Ferreira at LFA 74 in August 2019 and a unanimous decision win over Tony Lopez at Smash Global 9 in December 2019.[1]

Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure

Vanderaa earned his entry into the Ultimate Fighting Championship with a first-round TKO victory over Harry Hunsucker on Dana White's Contender Series in November 2020.[1] He made his UFC debut on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185 against Serghei Spivac. He lost the bout via technical knockout due to strikes in the second round at 4:32.[7][1] Following the debut loss, Vanderaa rebounded in his next appearance on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 188 against Justin Tafa. He secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after three rounds of intense striking exchanges, earning the Fight of the Night bonus for the performance.[7][10] This win marked his sole victory in the UFC, bringing his promotional record to 1-1 and highlighting his ability to adapt his grappling base against elite strikers in a stand-up war. Vanderaa's subsequent fights exposed ongoing adaptation challenges against top competition. On October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194, he fell to Alexandr Romanov via TKO (strikes) in the second round at 4:43.[7] This began a five-fight losing streak, followed by a split decision loss (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to Andrei Arlovski on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271.[7] He then submitted to Aleksei Oleinik via scarf hold in the first round (3:39) at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022.[7] On July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 39, Vanderaa was stopped by Chase Sherman via TKO (strikes) in the third round at 3:10.[7] His final UFC bout came on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213, where he lost a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) to Waldo Cortes-Acosta.[7] Over his UFC tenure from 2021 to 2022, Vanderaa compiled a 1-6 record, with his losses primarily coming against well-rounded heavyweights who capitalized on his defensive vulnerabilities in striking and grappling transitions.[11] Following the defeat to Cortes-Acosta, which extended his losing streak to five, Vanderaa was released from the UFC in December 2022.[12]

Post-UFC resurgence in regional circuits

Following his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in late 2022, Jared Vanderaa returned to the regional mixed martial arts scene in 2023, compiling a 6-2 record in those bouts to bring his overall professional record to 18-12 as of October 2025.[1] His comeback began with a dominant first-round submission victory over Nick Costello via rear-naked choke at Gladiator Challenge: Proving Ground on March 4, 2023.[1] Despite a setback with a third-round knockout loss to Chuck Campbell at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 10 on August 26, 2023, Vanderaa rebounded strongly in 2024, securing four consecutive wins, two of which ended in the first round and another in the second.[1] In 2024, Vanderaa captured the Lights Out Xtreme Fighting heavyweight title with a first-round TKO over Aleksey Kiser at LXF 17 on June 15, following earlier submission victories, including a rear-naked choke against Eric Iman at Fierce FC 32 on May 31 and a guillotine choke over Kent Mafileo at Fierce FC 30 on February 10.[1] He added a unanimous decision win over Demoreo Dennis at Z Promotions: Fight Night 20 on August 23, 2024, showcasing improved grappling control and striking volume compared to his UFC performances.[1] These successes highlighted a strategic emphasis on quick finishes, with an average fight time under two minutes in his 2024 victories, a marked improvement from his longer, decision-heavy UFC outings.[9] Vanderaa further solidified his regional dominance in 2025 by moving up to the light heavyweight division for select bouts while maintaining heavyweight activity, including a successful defense of the Fierce FC heavyweight championship via third-round rear-naked choke submission against Jordan Currie at Fierce FC 39 on March 29, 2025—a bout that extended his record for most consecutive title defenses in Fierce FC history.[2] This title run, which began with his initial capture of the Fierce FC belt in early 2024, underscored his adaptability and renewed focus on submission-based finishes, informed briefly by tactical adjustments from his UFC experiences.[2] His activity continued through October 2025, though he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Jake Craig in a light heavyweight title bout at Unified MMA 64 on October 3, 2025.[1] Overall, Vanderaa's post-UFC resurgence demonstrated enhanced finishing ability, with five of his six wins coming inside the distance, positioning him as a top contender in North American regional promotions.[1]

Fighting style and training

Grappling and submission expertise

Jared Vanderaa's grappling foundation stems from his high school wrestling experience at San Jacinto Valley schools, where he was a key member of the wrestling team during his time graduating in 2010.[6] This background has evolved into a professional-level skill set emphasizing takedowns and ground control, allowing him to dictate the pace in MMA bouts through superior positioning.[13] Complementing his wrestling base, Vanderaa earned his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in 2020, enhancing his submission arsenal with advanced ground techniques.[7][14] His proficiency in BJJ is evident in his career statistics, where seven of his 18 professional wins have come via submission, showcasing a reliance on chokes to finish opponents from dominant positions.[1] Early in his professional career, Vanderaa secured submissions such as a rear-naked choke against John Rizzo in 2015 and a guillotine choke over Sean Johnson in 2016, demonstrating his ability to transition from wrestling control to finishing holds.[1] Post-UFC, he continued this success with rear-naked chokes against Nick Costello in 2023, Eric Iman in 2024, and Jordan Currie in 2025, as well as a guillotine against Kent Mafileo in 2024, often capitalizing on top control to wear down and submit foes.[1] These victories highlight his expertise in guard passing to establish positional dominance, followed by seamless transitions to submissions like chokes from the back or mount.[1] In UFC competition, Vanderaa's grappling contributed to his unanimous decision win over Justin Tafa in 2021, where he leveraged his ground skills to neutralize takedown attempts and maintain control segments.[15] Overall, his grappling style prioritizes relentless pressure from top positions, blending wrestling tenacity with BJJ precision to create finishing opportunities.[7]

Striking evolution and overall strategy

During his Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure from 2021 to 2022, Jared Vanderaa heavily relied on his grappling prowess to control fights, which often left him vulnerable to striking exchanges on the feet. This approach contributed to three knockout losses via punches: a second-round stoppage against Serghei Spivac in February 2021, another in the second round to Alexandr Romanov in October 2021, and a third-round finish by Chase Sherman in July 2022.[3] These defeats highlighted deficiencies in his stand-up defense and distance management, where opponents capitalized on his slower footwork and limited head movement.[3] Following his release from the UFC in December 2022 after a 2-6 record, Vanderaa refocused on developing his striking through dedicated training at Team Quest Athletic Center in Hemet, California, where he serves as head instructor and owner.[16] This period emphasized enhancements in boxing fundamentals, including improved jab usage and combinations, alongside kickboxing drills to refine range control and counter-striking.[1] The results were evident in his post-UFC performances, with a first-round technical knockout via punches against Alexey Kiser in June 2024 and a unanimous decision over Demoreo Dennis in August 2024, demonstrating better head positioning and ability to maintain offensive pressure without immediate takedown attempts.[1] However, he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Jake Craig in October 2025 at Unified MMA 64.[1] Vanderaa's overall strategy integrates his grappling foundation to facilitate striking entries, primarily through clinch work that neutralizes distance and sets up either damaging knees or seamless transitions to takedowns. His grappling base allows him to initiate clinches after feinting strikes, creating openings for control along the fence before disengaging to land hooks or uppercuts. In his February 2024 championship win over Kent Mafileo at Fierce FC 30, Vanderaa secured a second-round guillotine choke submission after clinch exchanges and a takedown.[1] Similarly, during his March 2025 submission victory against Jordan Currie at Fierce FC 39, he employed clinch exchanges early to disrupt Currie's rhythm before securing a rear-naked choke, showcasing the hybrid flow of his evolved approach.[1] To optimize his performance, Vanderaa has adapted by competing primarily at light heavyweight (205 pounds) in regional promotions since 2023, down from heavyweight in the UFC, allowing him to preserve speed and endurance while retaining knockout power.[2] This weight class shift has enabled more fluid movement in stand-up scenarios, reducing the exposure to heavier opponents' power shots that plagued his earlier career.[4]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Vanderaa is engaged to his long-term partner, Lauren, who has been a pillar of support throughout his professional fighting journey. The couple welcomed their first daughter in April 2017, marking a significant personal milestone during Vanderaa's rising career in regional promotions.[17] Their second daughter was born in late 2021, during his early UFC tenure following his first promotional victory against Justin Tafa.[18] This event underscored the family's role in sustaining Vanderaa amid the demands of UFC travel and competition, as Lauren handled home responsibilities to allow him to prioritize training and recovery.[18] Residing in Hemet, California, Vanderaa emphasizes the challenges and rewards of balancing rigorous daily training sessions with active fatherhood and partnership, crediting his family for providing motivation and emotional grounding that influences his career persistence.

Gym ownership and coaching role

Following his departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in late 2022, Jared Vanderaa established himself as the owner of Team Quest Athletic Center in Hemet, California, acquiring the facility in early 2020.[5] This gym serves as his primary training base, enabling him to maintain his competitive edge while transitioning into entrepreneurship within the mixed martial arts community. Under his leadership, the center has grown into Hemet's leading MMA facility, emphasizing a structured environment for athletic development and personal growth.[16] As head instructor and co-owner with his fiancée Lauren, Vanderaa plays a central role in coaching local fighters, with a particular focus on youth programs designed for children ages 3 to 15, including classes in boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (both gi and no-gi), and introductory MMA under United States Fight League rules.[19] These initiatives aim to build discipline, self-confidence, and self-defense skills among young participants, drawing from Vanderaa's own extensive experience as a four-time world MMA champion and two-time BJJ world title holder. For aspiring professionals, he offers tailored development pathways, guiding amateur fighters through advanced techniques in Muay Thai, wrestling, and full-contact sparring to prepare them for competitive bouts.[16][19] The gym's operations reflect Vanderaa's commitment to community impact, providing accessible classes for men, women, and children of all skill levels—from beginners to advanced practitioners—while fostering a supportive atmosphere that promotes fitness and resilience in the Hemet area.[20] Through these efforts, Team Quest Athletic Center has become a hub for regional talent cultivation, contributing to the broader MMA ecosystem beyond individual competition.[19]

Championships and accomplishments

Major titles won

Jared Vanderaa captured the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Heavyweight Championship on December 8, 2018, at EFC 76 in Pretoria, South Africa, defeating Ruan Potts via TKO (punches) in the third round.[9] He successfully defended the title once on March 16, 2019, at EFC 77, stopping Ricky Misholas with a TKO (punches) at 1:49 of the second round.[21][1] Vanderaa vacated the belt in November 2020 upon signing with the UFC.[22] Vanderaa won the SMASH Global Heavyweight Championship on December 19, 2019, at SMASH Global 9 in Los Angeles, California, outpointing Tony Lopez via unanimous decision after five rounds.[23][1] This victory marked his second major heavyweight title in quick succession following his EFC reign. In 2024, Vanderaa claimed the Fierce FC Heavyweight Championship on February 10 at Fierce FC 30 in West Valley City, Utah, submitting undefeated prospect Kent Mafileo with a guillotine choke at 2:15 of the second round.[9][2] He defended the title on May 31, 2024, at Fierce FC 32, forcing Eric Inman to tap to a rear-naked choke at 1:39 of the first round.[9][1] Vanderaa made a successful third defense on March 29, 2025, at Fierce FC 39 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, defeating Demoreo Dennis by unanimous decision after three rounds.[24] As of November 2025, he remains the reigning champion, holding the record for the most consecutive defenses in Fierce FC heavyweight history.[25]

Notable awards and recognitions

During his tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Vanderaa earned the Fight of the Night bonus for his unanimous decision victory over Justin Tafa at UFC Fight Night 188 on May 22, 2021, recognized for the bout's intense striking exchanges and resilience despite significant damage sustained by both fighters.[26] In October 2025, Vanderaa challenged for the vacant Unified MMA Light Heavyweight Championship, losing to Jake Craig via TKO (punches) in the first round at Unified MMA 64 on October 3 in Edmonton, Alberta.[27] Following his release from the UFC, Vanderaa has been ranked as the #7 light heavyweight fighter in the US West region by Tapology, reflecting his performances in regional promotions as of November 2025.[2] Vanderaa holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a rank he achieved through dedicated training, as noted in his official UFC athlete profile.[7]

Career statistics

Professional MMA record

Jared Vanderaa holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 18 wins and 12 losses as of November 2025.[1] His victories consist of 8 by knockout or technical knockout, 7 by submission, and 3 by decision, while his defeats include 5 by knockout or technical knockout, 3 by submission, and 4 by decision.[1] In the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Vanderaa compiled a record of 1 win and 6 losses across 7 bouts, with the remainder of his fights occurring in regional promotions where he achieved 17 wins and 6 losses.[1] The following table lists Vanderaa's complete professional fight history in chronological order, from his debut to his most recent bout:
DateOpponentEventResultMethodRoundTime
Jun 14, 2015John RizzoKOTC - SanctionedWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)10:29
Nov 13, 2015Daylin MurraySmash Global - The Main Event 2WinTKO (Punches)14:11
Mar 26, 2016Joe HernandezSmash Global - The Main Event 3WinKO (Punch)21:13
Jun 10, 2016Mychal ClarkBAMMA Badbeat 20WinTKO (Punches)13:54
Sep 15, 2016Sean JohnsonSmash Global 4WinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)12:28
Jun 30, 2017Richard OdomsLFA 15LossSubmission (Kimura)52:45
Aug 05, 2017Idrees WasiGKO 10WinSubmission (Straight Ankle Lock)11:35
Dec 16, 2017Andrew van ZylEFC 66LossDecision (Split)55:00
Mar 09, 2018Vernon LewisLFA 35LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Sep 08, 2018Elvis MoyoEFC 73WinTKO (Punches)22:00
Dec 08, 2018Ruan PottsEFC 76WinTKO (Punches)33:24
Mar 16, 2019Ricky MisholasEFC 77WinTKO (Punches)21:49
Aug 30, 2019Renan FerreiraLFA 74LossSubmission (Triangle Choke)22:37
Dec 19, 2019Tony LopezSmash Global 9WinDecision (Unanimous)55:00
Nov 04, 2020Harry HunsuckerDana White's Contender Series 2020: Week 8WinTKO (Punches)13:34
Feb 20, 2021Serghei SpivacUFC Fight Night 185LossTKO (Punches)24:32
May 22, 2021Justin TafaUFC Fight Night 188WinDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Oct 09, 2021Alexander RomanovUFC Fight Night 194LossTKO (Punches)24:43
Feb 12, 2022Andrei ArlovskiUFC 271LossDecision (Split)35:00
Apr 09, 2022Aleksei OleinikUFC 273LossSubmission (Scarf Hold)13:39
Jul 09, 2022Chase ShermanUFC on ESPN 39LossTKO (Punches)33:10
Oct 29, 2022Waldo Cortes-AcostaUFC Fight Night 213LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Mar 04, 2023Nick CostelloGladiator Challenge - Proving GroundWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)10:46
Aug 26, 2023Chuck CampbellLights Out Xtreme Fighting - LXF 10LossKO (Punches)34:34
Feb 10, 2024Kent MafileoFierce FC 30WinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)23:46
May 31, 2024Eric InmanFierce FC 32WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)11:39
Jun 15, 2024Aleksey KiserLights Out Xtreme Fighting - LXF 17WinTKO (Punches)12:27
Aug 23, 2024Demoreo DennisZ Promotions - Fight Night 20WinDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Mar 29, 2025Jordan CurrieFierce FC 39WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)33:13
Oct 03, 2025Jake CraigUnified MMA 64LossTKO (Punches)14:10

Performance metrics and trends

Jared Vanderaa's professional MMA career features a balanced distribution of finishing methods in his victories, with 44% of his 18 wins coming by KO/TKO and 39% by submission.[1] His losses, however, reveal a notable vulnerability to striking, as 42% of his 12 defeats have ended via KO/TKO.[1] Across his career phases, Vanderaa's finishing rates in wins exhibit clear trends: pre-UFC, he secured finishes in 91% of victories (10 out of 11), reflecting a high-output grappling and striking approach against regional opponents.[2] During his UFC tenure from 2021 to 2022, this rate dropped to 0%, with his sole win going to unanimous decision amid a 1-6 record against elite competition.[3] Post-UFC, from 2023 onward, he rebounded strongly, achieving finishes in 80% of his six wins, including multiple first-round submissions.[1] Vanderaa has primarily competed as a heavyweight (17-11 record), with a recent transition to light heavyweight evidenced by his October 2025 bout (0-1 record at 205 lbs).[2] This shift has correlated with improved opponent quality adjustments, as evidenced by his Fight Matrix rating of 40 points as of late 2025, placing him at #116 in light heavyweight.[28]

References

  1. Jared "The Mountain" Vanderaa MMA Stats, Pictures ... - Sherdog
  2. Jared Vanderaa ("The Mountain") | MMA Fighter Page - Tapology
  3. Jared Vanderaa Record: 12-10-0 - UFC Stats
  4. Jared Vanderaa (Heavyweight) MMA Profile - ESPN
  5. From Backyard courts to selling out arenas - HSJ Chronicle
  6. Jared Vanderaa - UFC.com
  7. EFC 76: Wojcik, Vanderaa Earn Titles | FIGHT SPORTS
  8. Jared Vanderaa MMA Fight History - ESPN
  9. UFC Vegas 27 results: Jared Vanderaa outstrikes Justin Tafa in ...
  10. https://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/2b68d9f125d07b42
  11. Jared Vanderaa announces departure from UFC following 5-fight skid
  12. Jared Vanderaa 2025: Net Worth, Fight Purses, Family, Records
  13. Jared Vanderaa - Fighter profile - Smoothcomp
  14. Jared Vanderaa happy with "fun ass fight" against Justin Tafa, in no ...
  15. Jared Vanderaa - Hemet, CA - Team Quest Athletic Center
  16. Jared Vanderaa Plans to Get First of at Least Four Wins in 2018 at ...
  17. https://www.ufc.com/news/jared-vanderaa-turning-corner-ufc-vegas-39
  18. Team Quest Athletic Center Moving and Has New Owners -
  19. Jared Vanderaa "The Mountain" Record - Verdict MMA
  20. Home - Welcome to Team Quest Athletic Center! | Hemet, CA
  21. TEAM QUEST ATHLETIC CENTER - Updated November 2025 - Yelp
  22. Jared Vanderaa vs. Ricky Misholas, EFC Worldwide 77 | MMA Bout
  23. Vanderaa signs with UFC! EFC heavyweight champion Jared ...
  24. Tony Lopez vs. Jared Vanderaa, SMASH Global 9 | MMA Bout
  25. https://www.instagram.com/p/DH1LEmyPtdq/
  26. Most title defenses in fierce history Jared Vanderaa is on a roll
  27. After FOTN win, Jared Vanderaa astounded by Justin Tafa's toughness
User Avatar
No comments yet.