Canadian middleweight Aaron Jeffery is stepping up on short notice to face American Austin (The Gentleman) Vanderford on an Aug. 12 Bellator card.
Jeffery replaces Anthony Adams on the mixed martial arts show at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The 29-year-old from Tillsonburg, Ont., won his Bellator debut on June 24, stopping Brazil's Fabio Aguiar in the second round at Bellator 282. Victory aside, he also attracted attention for his flowing mullet.
The main event in South Dakota sees Brazilian welterweight Neiman Gracie take on Japan's Goiti Yamauchi.
Jeffery (12-3-0) has won 10 of his last 12 fights with the two losses coming in Dana White's Contender Series, in July 2019 and September 2021. In Vanderford (11-1-0), he is facing the second-ranked 185-pounder in the Bellator ranks.
Jeffery runs a nutrition consulting business when not fighting.
Canadian bantamweight (Gentleman) Josh Hill (21-4-0) is also on the Aug 12 card. The 35-year-old from Hamilton takes on Brazil's Marcos Breno (14-2-0).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2022
The Canadian Press
