Jared Vanderaa

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

Background Vanderaa was born in Washington but moved around a lot with his mother in pursuit of opportunities, eventually settling in California. 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. He attended California Baptist University but dropped out after a couple of days.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Vanderaa competed as an amateur from 2012 to 2015, in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. He compiled a record of 5–4. 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.

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.

After losing a short notice bout via unanimous decision to Vernon Lewis at LFA 35, 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. 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. He rebounded, defeating Tony Lopez via unanimous decision at SMASH Global 9, winning the Smash Global Heavyweight Championship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Vanderaa faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213.

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

Post-UFC career 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.

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

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

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.

Vanderaa faced Jake Craig for the vacant Unified MMA Light Heavyweight championship on October 3, 2025 at Unified MMA 64. He lost the bout by TKO in the first round.

Personal life Vanderaa and his fiancée Lauren have two daughters, born in 2017 and 2021.

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

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Fierce Fighting Championship FFC Heavyweight Championship (One time, current) Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) SMASH Global SG Heavyweight Championship (One time) Extreme Fighting Championship EFC Heavyweight Championship (One time) One successful title defence

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Alexander Romanov Submission (rear-naked choke) Shogun Fights 32

Hanover, Maryland, United States Loss

Jake Craig TKO (punches) Unified MMA 64

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Win

Jordan Currie Submission (rear-naked choke) Fierce FC 39

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States Win

Demoreo Dennis Decision (unanimous) Z Promotions: Fight Night 20

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Win

Alexey Kiser TKO (punches) LXF 17

Pauma Valley, California, United States Win

Eric Iman Submission (rear-naked choke) Fierce FC 32

West Valley City, Utah, United States Win

Kent Mafileo Submission (guillotine choke) Fierce FC 30

West Valley City, Utah, United States Loss

Chuck Campbell KO (punch) LXF 10

Pauma Valley, California, United States Win

Nick Costello Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Challenge: Proving Ground

Valley Center, California, United States Loss

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Chase Sherman TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Aleksei Oleinik Submission (scarf hold) UFC 273

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Loss

Andrei Arlovski Decision (split) UFC 271

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Alexander Romanov TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Justin Tafa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Serghei Spivac TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Harry Hunsucker TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 34

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tony Lopez Decision (unanimous) SMASH Global 9

Hollywood, California, United States Loss

Renan Ferreira Submission (triangle choke) LFA 74

Riverside, California, United States Win

Ricky Misholas TKO (punches) EFC 77

Pretoria, South Africa Win

Ruan Potts TKO (punches) EFC 76

Pretoria, South Africa Win

Elvis Moyo TKO (punches) EFC 73

Sun City, South Africa Loss

Vernon Lewis Decision (unanimous) LFA 35

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Andrew van Zyl Decision (split) EFC 66

Pretoria, South Africa Win

Idrees Wasi Submission (straight ankle lock) GKO 10

Jackson, California, United States Loss

Richard Odoms Submission (kimura) LFA 15

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Win

Sean Johnson Submission (guillotine choke) SMASH Global 4

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Mychal Clark TKO (punches) BAMMA Badbeat 20

Commerce, California, United States Win

Joe Hernandez KO (punch) SMASH Global 3

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Daylin Murray TKO (punches) The Main Event 2

San Diego, California, United States Win

John Rizzo Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Sanctioned

San Jacinto, California, United States