Eryk Anders has one fight left on his current contract with the UFC, and he’s ready for a new deal as soon as possible.
Recognizing the promotion is a “what have you done for me lately” business, Anders (14-7-0) is coming off of an impressive TKO finish of Kyle Daukas on the main card at UFC Orlando. Taking little damage in The Octagon last Saturday, he told Daniel Cormier in the post-fight interview that he’s ready to fight again right away. That would mean taking a bout on short notice as there are only two more weekends of action in 2022. Talking with All Access MMA following his UFC Orlando victory, Anders reiterated his commitment to fighting again this year in pursuit of a new deal.
Eryk Anders Hopes to Finish His UFC Contract in 2022
“I have one more fight, you know,” he told James Lynch for AAMMA. “Man, I would really like to fight by the end of the year, this week or next week if we can make that happen and I can get a new contract. Go out there and knock somebody else out or whatever, just another dominating victory, and talk numbers after that.”
“I would love to get a new contract before I get to my last fight, but at the same time, I lost my last two before this one, so I’m 1-2 in my last three. That’s the thing about this sport, is ‘What have you done for me lately?’. If (Iridium Sports agent) Jason House can make that happen before I get this next fight, that’d be cool, but if not, I understand the business part of it, so it’s all good. I just have to go out there and win in a dominating fashion and they will give me another contract. If not, then ‘Adios’.”
Eryk Anders Says “Money Talks” Regarding Fighting Away From the UFC
After a National Championship collegiate career playing football with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Anders entered MMA in 2012 and joined the UFC in 2015. Since then, he has built a life and revenue streams outside of the cage and, at 35 years old, doesn’t have to just keep fighting. Still, if another promotion like the PFL were to come calling, his answer wouldn’t be an immediate ‘no’.
“You know, obviously, like, money talks,” he said in the interview with AAMMA, “but unless they’re talking like real money, like, I’ll probably be done when the UFC is done with me, to be honest.”
“I’ve got a couple other streams of revenue, like, I don’t have to do this anymore, but I really like it… Once the UFC’s done with me, that’s what it’s going to take for me to be done. They’re going to have to tell me ‘Don’t come back no more,’ but we’ll see. Some of these other promotions are throwing out big money, so yeah, money talks, but if they’re not talking the numbers that I want them to talk, then I’m in a position that I don’t have to do this.“
All that said, Anders is clear about his desire to still fight again in 2022, and is doing his part to stay ready for the call. A middleweight at 185 pounds, he says he’s walking at 210 pounds right now and could make the weight. With a number of late cancelations on cards recently, “Ya Boi” just might get his Christmas wish at UFC 282 or next week’s Fight Night.
