Ninilchik’s Austin Vanderford kept up his perfect fighting record since turning professional this year with a welterweight victory in the Victory Fighting Championship.

Vanderford prevailed over Kenny Licea in the opening fight of the VFC 59 card Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, using a rear-naked choke in the second round that forced Licea to tap out and secure the win, which pushed Vanderford to 3-0 in his pro career. All three fights have been this year.

The 27-year-old Vanderford was making his promotional debut for VFC after going 4-0 as an amateur competitor. In his first two pro fights this year, the Ninilchik High graduate won by TKO and by decision.