Time stands still on the gridiron, deep within the hearts of every Alabama Crimson Tide football fan. It is one of the few places where Father Time has no jurisdiction. It’s a place where past, present and future are all connected.
Eryk Anders, a former Alabama linebacker turned MMA fighter, has immortalized himself to the people of Tuscaloosa for simply stepping onto a football field. While most collegiate football programs are seen as a revolving door of nameless faces, there is a story beneath every crimson helmet and jersey. Perhaps it’s this sense of family that has helped the SEC powerhouse win 15 national championships.
In his decision to take up fighting, Anders now realizes that he was more than just a jersey number during his time in Alabama.
“There’s a lot more Eryk Anders fans than I thought there would be,” Anders said in an interview with Bleacher Report. “Yeah, they appreciate what I did at Bama, but now there’s a lot of people who support me doing MMA as well, and I think that’s awesome. There’s not that many schools where somebody can play at and go on and do something else and people still support that person.
“I know guys that played at Texas and stuff like that, big schools, that once they get done playing it’s kind of, ‘Who are you?’ … You really can’t say too much about the people, the Alabama fans who appreciate more than just a jersey. They appreciate the person. They are fans of that person for life, and I just really appreciate that.”
As drops of frozen rain crash into the hallowed surface of Bryant-Denny Stadium, Anders ponders a lifetime of lessons acquired during his tenure as a college football player—particularly the importance of drowning out the noise.
Combat sports are the loneliest form of competition in existence. Anders no longer has the luxury of depending on other teammates to pick up the slack. He now competes in a sport without a safety net. It’s a sport where you’re forced to either be the shark or get eaten.
As an MMA fighter, Anders’ bib is fixed tightly around his neck, dirtied with the broken dreams of past opponents. The amateur MMA fighter, who trains out of Spartan MMA and Fitness, has compiled a 16-3-1 career record. He’s also won several titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
It’s a promising start for a former football player without any form of martial arts background.
“I really didn’t have a background in anything, so I started from scratch,” said Anders. “I had to rework my mechanics. Football is a totally different sport in terms of footwork and movement than MMA is. Yeah, I was athletic, but at the same time, I really didn’t know how to use my athleticism.”
Figuring out how to utilize his athleticism is a thing of the past for Anders, who is now riding a wave of momentum so large it would make Kelly Slater jealous.
There is always a fascination with athletes from other sports crossing over into MMA, and the interest level is just as strong with Anders, a member of Alabama’s 2009 national championship team.
After being sidelined for several months with a torn Achilles, Anders is finally ready to put his amateur career in the rearview and get back on track towards making his professional debut.
“I just recently tore my Achilles, and I’ve been on the sidelines for five or six months now,” Anders said. “There’s been a couple of delays here or there that’s really messed up the timeline on things, but I’m back on track now, going to take another amateur fight and test out the ankle and move around under live fire, live bullets. I expect to make my pro debut sometime this spring.”
While there isn’t a set opponent or venue, Anders is focusing on March 14 for his next amateur fight. A win would likely make him one of the most sought-after MMA prospects in the country.
In an ever-growing sport like MMA, it’s easy to get buried among the endless slew of talent. It takes more than winning to reach the top. Fighters are expected to have something within them that sets them apart from the rest of the herd.
When asked what sets him apart, Anders’ voice suddenly shifted to a low, serious tone before blowing the question out of the water with a realistic and humble answer.
“I’m a competitor, and I know a lot of people say that, but I’m not going to give in or be intimidated by anybody,” he said. “If you beat me, you’re going to earn it. I’ll get in there with anybody. … There are definitely guys who are better strikers and grapplers, but there aren’t a whole lot of guys who are willing to put in the work and outwork me. I think that’s where my edge comes, the work ethic and the work inside the cage as well.”
Hard work is ultimately what made Anders’ transition from the gridiron to MMA possible, and a work ethic such as his is certainly one that bears watching in the future.
But in the meantime, we’ll suffice by simply saying, “Roll Tide, Mr. Anders.”
All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Jordy McElroy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon and FanRag Sports.
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