| Eryk Anders | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1987-04-21)April 21, 1987 (age 37) Clark Air Base,Pampanga,Luzon Islands, Philippines[1] |
| Other names | Ya Boi[2] |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 193 lb (88 kg; 13 st 11 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight (2015–2018, 2019–present) Light Heavyweight (2018–2019) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing,Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Fighting out of | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Team | Spartan Fitness (formerly) Fight Ready MMA (2020–present)[3] |
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4] |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 26 |
| Wins | 17 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 6 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| University | University of Alabama |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Eryk Anders (born April 21, 1987) is an American professionalmixed martial artist and formerAmerican football linebacker. He competes in theMiddleweight division of the UFC. He playedcollege football at theUniversity of Alabama.[5]
Eryk Anders was born on aU.S. Air Force base in the Philippines, where his mother was stationed at the time.[1] When Anders was a sophomore in high school he moved toSan Antonio, Texas, where he playedfootball forSmithson Valley High School.[1]
| No. 94 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1987-04-21)April 21, 1987 (age 37) Clark Air Base,Pampanga,Luzon Islands,Philippines |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Smithson Valley High School (San Antonio, Texas) |
| College: | Alabama |
| Undrafted: | 2010 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
After graduating fromSmithson Valley High School, Anders started at theUniversity of Alabama in 2006.[6] From 2006 to 2009, Anders played for the Crimson Tide as alinebacker, starting 14 games in his senior season.[7] His career at Alabama culminated with a victory in the2009 BCS National Championship against theTexas Longhorns, a game in which he led the Crimson Tide with seven tackles and aforced fumble.[8]
After college he signed a contract with theCleveland Browns of theNFL. He also had stints in theCanadian Football League and theArena Football League before beginning a career in mixed martial arts.[1]
Even several years into his MMA career, Anders keeps in touch with coachNick Saban, having the coach as a life coach of sorts, helping guide Anders in life, financially and being responsible.[9]
Anders began his mixed martial arts career in 2012 as anamateur, participating in 22 amateur bouts, although his official record is listed as 13-3-1[10][11] before his professional debut against Josh Rasberry on August 22, 2015, for Strike Hard Productions.[12] He defeated Rasberry in just 40 seconds via TKO.[13]
In his second professional fight, Anders defeated Demarcus Sharpe by unanimous decision.[14]
Anders defeated Garrick James by TKO.[15]
Anders next defeated Dekaire Sanders by submission viarear naked choke.[16]
For his fifth professional fight he defeated Jesse Grun via TKO due to punches.[17]
Anders made hisBellator debut on October 21, 2016, defeating Brian White by TKO in 23 seconds.[18]
Anders next joined Legacy Fighting Alliance. He defeated Jon Kirk by TKO atLFA 6 on March 10, 2017.[19]
On June 23, 2017, Anders fought for theLegacy Fighting Alliance middleweight championship atLFA 14. He defeatedBrendan Allen via unanimous decision to win the title.[20]
Anders made hisUFC debut againstRafael Natal atUFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum, as a late replacement forAlessio Di Chirico who was forced to withdraw due to a neck injury.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[22]
Anders was expected to faceJohn Phillips on December 9, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 123.[23] However, Phillips was removed from the card and was replaced by promotional newcomerMarkus Perez on December 9, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 123.[24] Anders won the fight by unanimous decision.[25]
Anders facedLyoto Machida on February 3, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 125.[26] He lost the fight via controversial split decision.[27] 16 of 23 media outlets scored the fight for Anders.[28]
Anders faced Tim Williams on August 25, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 135.[29] He won the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the third round.[30] This fight earned him thePerformance of Night award.[31]
Anders was tabbed as a short notice replacement forJimi Manuwa, and facedThiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout atUFC Fight Night 137.[32] Anders lost via referee stoppage TKO when he collapsed and failed to make it to his corner at the conclusion of round three.[33] This fight earned him theFight of the Night award.[34]
Making a quick turnaround to the Octagon, Anders returned to middleweight to replaceAntônio Carlos Júnior in a bout againstElias Theodorou atUFC 231 on December 8, 2018.[35][36] He lost the fight via split decision.[37]
Anders facedKhalil Rountree Jr. on April 13, 2019, atUFC 236.[38] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Anders facedVinicius Moreira, replacingRoman Dolidze, on June 29, 2019, atUFC on ESPN 3.[40] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[41] This fight earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[42]
Anders facedGerald Meerschaert in a middleweight bout on October 12, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 161.[43] He won the fight via split decision.[44]
Anders was scheduled to faceKrzysztof Jotko on April 11, 2020, atUFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.[45] Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed[46] to May 16, 2020, atUFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.[47] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[48]
Anders was scheduled to faceAntônio Arroyo, replacingAndreas Michailidis, on November 14, 2020, atUFC Fight Night 183.[49] Anders was cornering his teammate,Walt Harris onFight Island inUFC 254 when he got the call to step in for Michailidis.[50] At the weigh-ins, Anders weighed in at 187.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit.[51] Anders eventually pulled out of the fight the next day as consequence of the weigh-cut and his bout was canceled.[52]
Anders facedDarren Stewart on March 13, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 187.[53] Due to an illegal knee thrown by Anders in round one, the fight was declared a no contest.[54]
Anders facedDarren Stewart at light heavyweight in a rematch on June 12, 2021, atUFC 263.[55] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[56]
Anders was scheduled to faceRoman Dolidze on November 13, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 197.[57] However, Anders was pulled the event for undisclosed reasons,[58] and he was replaced byKyle Daukaus.[59]
Anders facedAndré Muniz, replacing injured Dricus Du Plessis, on December 11, 2021, atUFC 269.[60] He lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.[61]
Anders facedJun Yong Park on May 21, 2022, atUFC Fight Night 206.[62] He lost the bout via split decision.[63]
Anders facedKyle Daukaus on December 3, 2022 atUFC on ESPN 42.[64] He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.[65]
Anders facedMarc-André Barriault on June 10, 2023, atUFC 289.[66] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[67] The bout won theFight of the Night bonus award.[68]
Anders facedJamie Pickett on March 2, 2024, atUFC Fight Night 238.[69] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[70]
Anders was scheduled to face formerUFC Middleweight ChampionChris Weidman on November 9, 2024 atUFC 309.[71] However, Anders withdrew on the day of the event because of food poisoning the night before and the bout was scrapped.[72][73] The bout was rescheduled forUFC 310 on December 7, 2024 in a 195 lb catchweight bout.[74] He won the fight by technical knockout via ground punches at the end of the second round.[75]
Anders competed againstKyle Daukaus at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[76] He won the match by decision.[77]
Anders competed against Charles Radtke at Fury Pro Grappling 9 on April 4, 2024.[78] Anders won the match by golden score in overtime.[79]
Anders competed against Luke Fernandez at Fury Pro Grappling 10 on May 24, 2024.[80] He lost the match by golden score in overtime.[81]
Anders is married[82] with two sons.[83]
In 2022, Anders made his acting debut as the MMA fighter Vicente "The Wolf" Gonzales in the second episode of season 5 of the Netflix seriesCobra Kai.[84]
| 26 matches | 17 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 6 | 6 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 17–8 (1) | Chris Weidman | TKO (punches) | UFC 310 | December 7, 2024 | 2 | 4:50 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Catchweight (195 lb) bout. |
| Win | 16–8 (1) | Jamie Pickett | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev | March 2, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–8 (1) | Marc-André Barriault | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 289 | June 10, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 15–7 (1) | Kyle Daukaus | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland | December 3, 2022 | 2 | 2:45 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 14–7 (1) | Park Jun-yong | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira | May 21, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14–6 (1) | André Muniz | Submission (armbar) | UFC 269 | December 11, 2021 | 1 | 3:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 (1) | Darren Stewart | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 263 | June 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| NC | 13–5 (1) | Darren Stewart | NC (illegal knee) | UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad | March 13, 2021 | 1 | 4:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Anders landed an illegal knee to Stewart's head, who was a downed opponent. |
| Loss | 13–5 | Krzysztof Jotko | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris | May 16, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 13–4 | Gerald Meerschaert | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson | October 12, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | Return to Middleweight. |
| Win | 12–4 | Vinicius Moreira | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos | June 29, 2019 | 1 | 1:18 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 11–4 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 236 | April 13, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Elias Theodorou | Decision (split) | UFC 231 | December 8, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Middleweight bout. |
| Loss | 11–2 | Thiago Santos | TKO (elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders | September 22, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | Light Heavyweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 11–1 | Tim Williams | KO (soccer kick) | UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick | August 25, 2018 | 3 | 4:42 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | Performance of Night. |
| Loss | 10–1 | Lyoto Machida | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders | February 3, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Belém, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–0 | Markus Perez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Rafael Natal | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum | July 22, 2017 | 1 | 2:54 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Brendan Allen | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 14 | June 23, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Won the inauguralLFA Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Jon Kirk | TKO (punches) | LFA 6 | March 10, 2017 | 1 | 1:35 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Catchweight (190 lb) bout. |
| Win | 6–0 | Brian White | TKO (punches) | Bellator 162 | October 21, 2016 | 1 | 0:23 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jesse Grun | TKO (punches) | Valor Fights 37 | August 27, 2016 | 1 | 3:18 | Cleveland, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Dekaire Sanders | Submission (rear-naked choke) | V3 Fights: Sanders vs. Anders | June 18, 2016 | 1 | 0:33 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Garrick James | TKO (punches) | Strike Hard Productions 42 | May 14, 2016 | 3 | 4:07 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Demarcus Sharpe | Decision (unanimous) | SFC: Southern Explosion | October 20, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Montgomery, Alabama, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Josh Rasberry | TKO (punches) | Strike Hard Productions 40 | August 22, 2015 | 1 | 0:40 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States | Middleweight debut. |