LAS VEGAS – Ramiz Brahimaj met with MMA Junkie and other media members Saturday after his win over Austin Vanderford at UFC 320.

Brahimaj (13-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) pulled off a sizable upset on the prelims at T-Mobile Arena when he forced Vanderford (13-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) to tap to a rear-naked choke in the second round. Vanderford was a 3-1 favorite in the fight.

Brahimaj, known for his ground skills, showed them in the win – but brought out his newly honed striking game, too.

“I thought I was going to knock him out, to be honest,” Brahimaj said. “… I went up top with the head kick. I'm getting closer with the right hand. … I just want to keep showing diversity every time I fight. I threw a couple calf kicks.

"I remember people used to say, 'Oh, this dude – he's just a grappler.' All right. We'll see about that sh*t. I ain't no grappler. I'm a mixed martial artist, and I'm a very dangerous one, too.”

Ramiz Brahimaj flexed his way past press row after an upset submission of Austin Vanderford at #UFC320 💪 pic.twitter.com/p9pl34KmS6

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 4, 2025

Afterward, Brahimaj's emotions were sky high. He embraced a bloodied Vanderford and told him in the cage he had nightmares about fighting him in the buildup.

"That dude was giving me nightmares. This whole camp, I was missing sleep," Brahimaj said. "This dude kept me on my toes. … The only thing that kept replaying in my head is a saying my dad told me since I was a kid: 'You better be ready to blow in the ram's ass and straighten its horns out.' I've got the cardio to do that now."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ramiz Brahimaj had nightmares about Austin Vanderford before UFC 320

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