It’s puzzling that Eryk Anders’ next fight isn’t under the Bellator banner. Anders, who is undefeated in his six-fight professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career, last fought at Bellator 162 back in Oct. 2016. “Frankenstein” finished the fight against Brian White with a 23-second TKO. Despite the impressive Bellator debut, Anders is now fighting for […]
It’s puzzling that Eryk Anders’ next fight isn’t under the Bellator banner. Anders, who is undefeated in his six-fight professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career, last fought at Bellator 162 back in Oct. 2016. “Frankenstein” finished the fight against Brian White with a 23-second TKO. Despite the impressive Bellator debut, Anders is now fighting for […]
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…
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. JordyMcElroy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon and FanRag Sports.
The 2-on-2 fighting league Hip Show Arena Combat is finally coming to America. Promotion president Cyrus Fees just sent us this press release which lays out the details for Hip Show’s first stateside event, slated for August 9th at the the Bearcat Den Arena in Bristol, Virginia. Check it out below, and stay tuned for more updates…
FORMER UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS SET TO HEADLINE HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’S FIRST U.S. EVENT
Miami, FL, June 26th, 2014 – When you crossover America’s most popular sport with America’s newest sport, you have HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’s inaugural U.S. event.
Eryk Anders and Marcel Stamps are not only former University of Alabama standouts, together they are two of the hottest MMA fighters in the Southeast. On Saturday August 9th in Bristol, Virginia, they will team up again in the main event of ARENA COMBAT 1.
The event will take place at the Bearcat Den Arena in Bristol, and will feature fighters from Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The competing two-fighter teams will be featured in HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’s forthcoming national television program, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
CEO of HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT Casey Oxendine spoke on the announcement, “Holding our first American event in the Tri-Cities region of Virginia and Tennessee was a no-brainer. It’s a central location in the Southeast, home of the 8th largest venue in the world Bristol Motor Speedway, and universally known as the “Birthplace of Country Music.” Now, Bristol will once again make history as the “Birthplace of Arena Combat.””
The 2-on-2 fighting league Hip Show Arena Combat is finally coming to America. Promotion president Cyrus Fees just sent us this press release which lays out the details for Hip Show’s first stateside event, slated for August 9th at the the Bearcat Den Arena in Bristol, Virginia. Check it out below, and stay tuned for more updates…
FORMER UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS SET TO HEADLINE HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’S FIRST U.S. EVENT
Miami, FL, June 26th, 2014 – When you crossover America’s most popular sport with America’s newest sport, you have HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’s inaugural U.S. event.
Eryk Anders and Marcel Stamps are not only former University of Alabama standouts, together they are two of the hottest MMA fighters in the Southeast. On Saturday August 9th in Bristol, Virginia, they will team up again in the main event of ARENA COMBAT 1.
The event will take place at the Bearcat Den Arena in Bristol, and will feature fighters from Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The competing two-fighter teams will be featured in HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT’s forthcoming national television program, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
CEO of HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT Casey Oxendine spoke on the announcement, “Holding our first American event in the Tri-Cities region of Virginia and Tennessee was a no-brainer. It’s a central location in the Southeast, home of the 8th largest venue in the world Bristol Motor Speedway, and universally known as the “Birthplace of Country Music.” Now, Bristol will once again make history as the “Birthplace of Arena Combat.””
ERYK ANDERS & MARCEL STAMPS are slated to main event ARENA COMBAT 1 against a team of two Russian competitors. Russian fighters have been auditioning for a chance to fight on the first U.S. event, and announcement of these fighters will be made in the coming weeks.
ERYK ANDERS began fighting in 2012, compiled at 10-3-1 MMA record, and has won two belts. Anders is currently the V3Fights Light Heavyweight Champion and the former Strike Hard Promotions Middleweight Champion. Seven of his ten wins have come by TKO or submission. Anders currently trains at Spartan Fitness in Birmingham, Alabama. Anders was a part of the 2009 National Championship team, starting at linebacker for the Crimson Tide.
MARCEL STAMPS has only been fighting for seven months, and has put together an undefeated record of 4-0. Stamps trains at Champions Freestyle MMA in Birmingham. Stamps played three years at the University of Alabama, specializing in the linebacker position and on special teams.
“This is a slam dunk, home run, and touchdown having two incredible football players turned fighters take on two of Russia’s finest competitors. Expect some serious fireworks between these four men, when they enter our Arena,” remarked CYRUS FEES, President of HIP SHOW ARENA COMBAT.
ARENA COMBAT 1 will take place on Saturday, August 9th from the Bearcat Den Arena in Bristol, Virginia. Card announcements will be announced over the coming weeks, along with a press release regarding the event’s national broadcast.
—
ABOUT ARENA HIP SHOW COMBAT INTERNATIONAL – Hip Show Arena Combat International is an worldwide company based in Miami, FL. Arena Combat introduces a new style of athletic competition; 2-on-2 fighting in a state-of-the-art arena. Arena Combat’s first event will take place on Saturday, August 9th in Bristol, VA. Previously, Arena Combat was featured in a two-hour “Best Of Season 1” special on AXStv on March 14th, trending #3 worldwide on Twitter during the event. The thrilling new show was also covered by over 40 websites leading up to the event, garnering front page coverage on CNN.com. A news feature on MSNBC also profiled the event on April 27th. Hip Show Arena Combat can be found online and on Facebook.
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.