Austin Vanderford has a lot to prove ahead of his upcoming Bellator title fight against Gegard Mousasi. The middleweight title fight is going t be an interesting challenge for both men.

Gegard Mousasi has a lot of experience compared to the undefeated Austin Vanderford. The Bellator middleweight title win would help erase all doubt on his ability.

“Going out and beating a guy like him, that erases any questions about whether the guy belongs,” Vanderford told MMA Junkie Radio. “Just like A.J. McKee, if anyone had any questions, all that was answered after the ‘Pitbull’ (Freire) fight, and I want the same thing. I’ve said it in almost every single interview, I’m here to compete with the best and fight the best, and in my opinion, you can look at any promotion and you’d have to put Gegard in the top five in the world for middleweights, so I truly believe that, and I think this is just a great opportunity for me.”

Austin Vanderford believes he's a much better fighter than Gegard Mousasi's last opponent. The Bellator prospect does have a similar style though.

“He fought a grappler his last fight, and that’s what I am, but I think I’m a little more tenacious and a little more – my athleticism and what not and just couple that with my gas tank and just being able to put on a high pace the whole fight,” Vanderford said. “So I think a lot of that is going to be different, but it’s hard to really tell a guy who’s had over 50 pro MMA fights that he hasn’t seen this guy yet.

“But he also does have some losses, and of course I’ve studied and watched some of these fights, and I feel confident with the gameplan that we have going into it, and I’m young and hungry, and this is just the moment for me. I just feel like everything is right. I feel like everything’s been put into place and just made right for this moment right here.”

Austin Vanderford takes on Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 275 on February 25. The middleweight title will be on the line.