Eryk Anders has given his take on Elias Theodorou’s UFC exit.
UFC light heavyweight Eryk Anders has shared his thoughts on former opponent Elias Theodorou’s UFC release. Anders and Theodorou fought back in a middleweight contest at UFC 231 last December, with Theodorou getting the nod by split decision on the night.
Despite losing to the Canadian, ‘Ya Boi’ thinks that Theodorou’s “style” and “antics” are likely what led to the UFC deciding to cut him.
“They booed him when we fought. I come to finish fights, that is what people like. At the end of the day, the UFC is a business,” Anders told BJPENN.com. “If you are getting booed and people don’t care to see you fight, they don’t have a reason to keep you.
“He’s a good fighter, though. He has that tough style, went 8-3 in the promotion, TUF winner. He had a great career in the UFC and will have a great career whenever he lands should he continue to fight. I just don’t think the UFC is interested in his style and antics.”
Anders will hope to snap a three-fight losing streak this weekend when he fights Vinicius Moreira at UFC on ESPN 3. Though he made his light heavyweight debut against Thiago Santos before fighting Theodorou, Anders has not returned to middleweight since losing to the ‘Spartan.’
“I don’t think I have been booed in any country. All my fights have been entertaining and they have a reason to keep me around,” he said. “If you sell tickets they have a reason to keep you. If people boo you and they don’t want to see you fight, you are going to get cut at the earliest time they can.”
UFC on ESPN 3 takes place this Saturday, June 29th, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A heavyweight fight between Francis Ngannou and Junior dos Santos is expected to headline the card.