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.

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.

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 Sergey Spivak 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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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.

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

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.

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Justin Tafa
• SMASH Global
  • SG Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Extreme Fighting Championship
  • EFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
    • One successful title defence