Eryk Anders Ready For Whatever Comes After Brad Tavares, UFC Or Not

There was a theme present when talking to Eryk Anders about the last fight on his current UFC contract (against Brad Tavares). Appreciation. Appreciation for what the fight game gave him, both personally and professionally.

Professionally, it gave him a career after his time at the University of Alabama ended. A time where he more than made a name for himself, mainly due to the game clinching forced fumbled in the 2009 National Championship Game. After his time in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Anders set his sights on the next level (NFL) but nothing materialized. He would take a couple of 9-5 jobs, but his competitive spirit wouldn't let him rest. Anders entry into combat sports and more specifically MMA, is a typical one: "I walked into the gym one day, got beat up, and I was hooked."

Anders record of 17-9-0 (1 NC) is the definition of up and down. While he may have never reached the heights of UFC A-listers, fans always knew Anders was coming to fight, and more importantly coming to win. But wins in the UFC could never give him the lessons life did. Especially as it relates to clarity. After his last fight Anders talked about removing bad habits and people who don't have his best interests at heart from his life. I asked Anders what motivated him to make these changes and he quickly mentioned his custody battle. "Man when you really think about it none of this other stuff matters. Fighting doesn't even matter," he said. "It's really family that matters. It was time for me to stop trying to mend relationships with exes, stop abusing drugs and alcohol and focus on what truly matters. It's funny because when you do, people start looking at you differently, like you're doing something wrong. As serious as fighting is, it showed me that it really is second to the things that really matter to me." His "refocusing" not only benefited his own life, but the life of his fans as well. Anders mentioned how after his fight against Chris Weidman fans messaged him and expressed how he motivated them to improve their lives including removing drugs and alcohol, losing weight, and just taking their health more serious in general.

Anders also mentioned how he has enjoyed becoming more reclusive as he's gotten older. "Man I don't do anything. If I'm not in the gym, I'm spending time with my son. And maybe going to the grocery store. That's it. That's all."

As Anders prepares to take on Brad Tavares on March 14, he has positioned himself in a position that many combat athletes unfortunately do not; he has recently open his own gym, Ya Boi Fitness Academy. With his financial future accounted for, he can place all his focus squarely on Brad Tavares.

Win, lose, or draw, he's ready for what ever comes after.