Austin Vanderford on Sabah Homasi callout: 'I don't even know who the (expletive) that is'
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Initially, when Sabah Homasi knocked out Micah Terrill and called out Austin Vanderford, Vanderford didn’t hear it.
But after winning the very next bout on Saturday’s Bellator 225 card, John McCarthy informed Vanderford (8-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) of what Homasi (13-8 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) had said moments earlier. To Vanderford, it didn’t matter.
Why was Vanderford unfazed by the callout? He said he doesn’t even know who Homasi is.
“I’m not even really sure who Sabah is,” Vanderford told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at Bellator 225. “Someone said something, but I honestly wasn’t paying attention to fights before (mine). So ‘Big John’ kind of caught me off guard. I was like, ‘I don’t know who the (expletive) that is, honestly.”
While he was unconcerned about the post-fight comments from Homasi, he did care about the mid-fight comments he received from his wife, UFC flyweight Paige VanZant. She cornered Vanderford for his bout against Joseph Creer (6-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) on the card’s prelims.
Vanderford stressed the importance of his wife’s presence in the corner and how VanZant has made him a better fighter. Sometimes, Vanderford is ridiculed for his relationship with VanZant, but he seemingly couldn’t care less.
“I feel like I’m cheating sometimes in the game, because I have somebody who is with me 24/7 and knows me better than anybody in the world,” Vanderford said. “She’s like a second pair of eyes for myself. She’s the most brutally honest person and that’s what I want in my life.”
Smiling, he said, “‘Mr. VanZant’ right here. I’m ready to keep doing it. Like I said, if people want to test that, prove me wrong. That’s just what I have to say about that.”
When asked for an update on VanZant and what’s next for her, Vanderford presented his thoughts on his wife’s current situation as she moves forward.
“I want to see her get what she deserves to get,” Vanderford said. “She does so much for the sport. For women’s MMA. She is so talented. Sometimes, I think that can get overlooked sometimes. I want her to get out and get what she truly deserves. Wherever that is, or whatever, is what it’s going to be.”
As for his own future, Vanderford believes he will stick at his newly-joined weight class of 185 pounds. Whether he’s competing at welterweight or middleweight, the vision is always the same. Vanderford wants to wear Bellator gold.
“I’m not fighting just to fight and have fun,” Vanderford said. “I’m fighting to be the best in the world. Whatever shortcuts I can take and whenever I feel like I’m ready to do it.”