It’s that point once more, time once more to open the door and begin up one other assembly of the All-Nicknames Membership. Two months in the past, in opposition to the backdrop of the Christmas vacation, the second assembly of the membership was held.
Since then, we haven’t gathered to induct any new MMA fighters to the membership. This, nevertheless, adjustments tonight. In case you wanted a refresher course as to how this membership operates, our official floor guidelines are posted within the minutes of the primary assembly.
You possibly can refer again to these guidelines at any time. Bear in mind, it’s identical to Cosmo Kramer stated on Seinfeld: “With out guidelines, there’s chaos.” Absent of any additional delay, let’s press on with the primary of the nicknames to be inducted right here this night.
The All-Nicknames Membership: Inductee No. 7: Austin “The Gentleman” Vanderford
For our first inductee in tonight’s assembly, we flip to a veteran at welterweight of three MMA promotions, Austin Vanderford. Nicknamed “The Gentleman,” he started his skilled profession within the sport of MMA again in March of 2017 with a first-round knockout in two minutes and 33 seconds by means of punches over Sol Renato (1-2 MMA.)
By the point his third professional bout rolled round, he was in line for an opportunity at a championship in CageSport 47 that October in opposition to 11-fight veteran Ben Fodor (7-3-1 MMA.) The person on the opposite facet of the cage was no match for Vanderford, who claimed the title by means of unanimous resolution after 5 rounds of motion.
At 4-0, UFC CEO Dana White got here calling with a spot on the second season of Contender Sequence, and though Austin Vanderford would emerge victorious through second-round submission (rear-naked choke), he wouldn’t, nevertheless, be signed to the world’s high MMA promotion.
Vanderford Breaks By way of in UFC on Quick-Discover in 2025
Undeterred, Austin Vanderford would be a part of the lively roster of the now-defunct Bellator MMA in February of 2019, going 5-2 within the now-defunct group. Upon an October 2024 combat within the LFA, “The Gentleman” would get a short-notice call-up to the UFC in February of 2025.
In a contracted catchweight at 175 lbs, Vanderford would draw Nikolay Vertennikov (12-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) throughout UFC Seattle, accepting the competition on the Tuesday of combat week. “The Gentleman” scored a second-round knockout by means of floor and pound pictures.
Love him or hate him, Austin Vanderford’s bought one of many nice nicknames in MMA.
The All-Nicknames Membership: Inductee No. 8: “The Infamous” Conor McGregor
For our second inductee right here tonight, you knew that it could solely be an eventuality that Conor McGregor would discover his method into The All-Nickname Membership. Now, we make it official.
A seasoned fight sports activities veteran, “The Infamous” started his MMA profession in March of 2008, and by the top of 2012, McGregor would turn out to be the Cage Warriors Light-weight Champion after already having captured the featherweight strap the earlier June. Inside the subsequent few years, the person with probably the most notable nicknames would safe six consecutive post-fight awards.
Alongside the way in which, McGregor scored the ovation of followers all through the world and have become a family identify, en path to successful the UFC Featherweight Championship. Controversies apart, he’s one of many sport’s greats.
“The Infamous” Turns to Enterprise Facet of Fight Sports activities
Whereas McGregor’s time as a fighter has stalled out, with a deliberate combat versus Michael Chandler on June 29, 2024 getting known as off forward of combat night time because of sustaining a damaged toe, he’s stayed within the combat sport on the enterprise facet. In April of 2024, he grew to become a partial proprietor of Naked Knuckle Combating Championships (BKFC.)
Forward of the Jan. 26, 2025 BKFC KnuckleMania V card in Philadelphia, McGregor made an look on the ceremonial weigh-ins the night earlier than the present. He isn’t simply glad with possession of the bare-knuckle boxing promotion, nevertheless. He’s in search of a combat.
Whether or not or not McGregor knuckles up for a bout in BKFC stays to be seen, however his is one in all MMA’s superior nicknames.
The All-Nicknames Membership: Inductee No. 9: Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar
For our closing inductee on this third assembly of the membership, we now have our first posthumous entry. The late Stephan Bonnar (1977-2022) frolicked in each the UFC and Bellator MMA. Throughout his skilled MMA profession, Bonnar, nicknamed “The American Psycho” went 15-9 in 24 fights contained in the cage, together with an 8-7 stretch within the UFC from 2005 to 2012.
Bonnar cut up his UFC wins proper down the center, with 4 wins coming by means of stoppage and 4 through resolution. Between July of 2010 and November of 2011, he was on a three-fight successful streak.
Kyle Kingsbury was on the opposite facet of Bonnar’s final MMA victory.
Bonnar Took Half in Crucial MMA Bout
Within the spring of 2005, Bonnar made it to the finale of the inaugural season of The Final Fighter tv collection after being a third-round number of Randy Couture’s group. Throughout that dwell finale, he fought Forrest Griffin for a assured contract within the UFC.
Though Griffin was the person who bought his hand raised ultimately, this was the singular contest that made the UFC a family model to remain. It’s for that reason that Stephen Bonnar’s legacy will likely be long-remembered.
Assembly Adjourned
With that, the third assembly of the All-Nicknames Membership will now be adjourned. Be part of us at our subsequent assembly, after we’ll enshrine extra fighters.
