UFC’s Eryk Anders says his best performances come at middleweight

Eryk Anders will look to get back in the winning column by dropping to middleweight at UFC Orlando.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] will look to get back into the win column by dropping to middleweight.

Anders (14-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) faces Kyle Daukaus (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 42, which takes place Dec. 3 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.

Currently training out of Fight Ready MMA, Anders has alternated between middleweight and light heavyweight throughout his UFC career. But after dropping two straight fights at 205 pounds, he thinks the better version of himself is at 185 pounds.

“I get in where I fit in,” Anders told MMA Junkie. “(185), 205, I really don’t say no unless the timing isn’t right or whatever. I’m down for ’85, 205, but I think my best performances and my best preparation and getting ready for fights comes at 185.”

Daukaus, who is also looking to rebound, has finished all his fights by submission. With his opponent being a submission specialist, Anders is fully expecting him to try and grapple in their fight.

“He’s good everywhere,” Anders said. “He’s a Philly kid, so they don’t make them any other way other than tough in Philly. He’s been a tough outing for a lot of people, really skilled jiu-jitsu player. I believe he’s a blackbelt.”

He continued, “I’m sure I’ll have my hands full on Dec. 3, but for sure looking to go out there and get my hand raised at the end.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

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Throwback Thursday: Reliving Alabama’s BCS title win over Texas

Let’s look back at the plays that defined Alabama’s win over Texas in the 2010 BCS title game.  

[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] has built one of, if not the greatest college football dynasties in the history of the game. Alabama football’s dominance over the last 15 seasons has been remarkable and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

With Alabama making a trip to Austin this weekend to take on the Texas Longhorns, it is only fitting that we take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the first of the eventual six (and counting) national championships that the Tide has won since coach Saban arrived.

The date was Jan. 7, 2010, and inside the famous Rose Bowl, the Alabama Crimson Tide would defeat the Texas Longhorns 37-21. Let’s look back at some of the most important plays that defined the epic matchup.

UFC Fight Night 206 post-event facts: Jailton Almeida delivers shutout in heavyweight debut

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC Fight Night 206, which saw six of 11 fights end in a finish including a shutout.

The UFC closed its May schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 206, which went down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and saw six of 11 fights end in a finish.

The main event was among the bunch to go to the scorecards. [autotag]Ketlen Vieira[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) edged former UFC champ [autotag]Holly Holm[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 7-6 UFC) by split decision in the women’s bantamweight headliner, marking her second consecutive win over a former UFC champion.

For more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 206.

UFC middleweight Eryk Anders shares graphic photo after chainsawing foot

Through a shoe, sock, and skin the chainsaw went.

UFC middleweight [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] is used to getting bumps, bruises, and cuts from opponents in the cage. But from chainsaws? Not so much.

However, as Anders (14-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) shared in a series of graphic images Friday on his Instagram, the former University of Alabama football standout accidentally sliced open his foot.

While Anders didn’t elaborate specifically on how a chainsaw drove into his foot, the chainsaw went through both his shoe and sock before it pierced ski. The laceration was a significantly bloody gash, which required stitches once cleaned.

“My DNA is everywhere,” Anders said, while he showed off the pool of blood on the floor of his car’s driver side.

Check out the graphic post below, if you dare:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-xM3Xul1x/

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UFC 269 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Second highest payout in program history

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 269 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $323,500.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 269 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $323,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 269 took place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

The full UFC 269 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Julianna Pena[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Santiago Ponzinibbio[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Augusto Sakai[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ryan Hall[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Gillian Robertson[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Priscila Cachoeira[/autotag]: $6,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,929,000
Program-to-date total: $5,929,000

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UFC 269 play-by-play and live results (6 p.m. ET)

Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC 269 in Las Vegas.

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LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie is on the scene for Saturday’s UFC 269 event.

UFC 269 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, Charles Oliveira will look to record his first lightweight title defense against former interim champion Dustin Poirier. In the co-feature, two-division champion Amanda Nunes will put her women’s bantamweight title on the line against Julianna Pena. Also, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbradnt drops down to flyweight for the first time where he will meet Kai Kara-France. The eccentric Sean O’Malley takes on Raulian Paiva to kick things off the pay-per-view main card.

To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC 269 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporters John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) and Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) on Twitter.

Enjoy the fights, everyone.

Eryk Anders fills in for injured Dricus Du Plessis, faces Andre Muniz at UFC 269

Eryk Anders will fill in for the injured Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 269.

The injury bug has hit the final UFC pay-per-view event of 2021.

A middleweight contest between Dricus Du Plessis and Andre Muniz scheduled to take place at UFC 269 in December has been altered after Du Plessis pulled out of the bout due to an injury. MMA DNA first reported the news of the withdrawal.

All is not lost for Muniz (21-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC), however, because a replacement opponent has been found. [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] will step up on a month’s notice to compete in the middleweight contest. In addition to Muniz acknowledging the change on his Instagram story, MMA Junkie confirmed the new matchup with sources familiar with the situation.

The bout will be the third fight of the calendar year for Anders, who faced Darren Stewart twice. Their first meeting in March resulted in a no contest due to an illegal knee. The pair immediately ran it back three months later at UFC 263 where Anders would win via unanimous decision.

Muniz, a two-time Dana White’s Contender Series veteran, competed in his third UFC bout in May at UFC 262, when he broke Jacare Souza’s arm during an inverted armbar in the first round. Muniz is undefeated in his UFC tenure thus far and is currently riding a seven fight win streak.

With the change, the UFC 269 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier – for lightweight title
  • Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena – for women’s bantamweight title
  • Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal
  • Cody Garbrandt vs. Kai Kara-France
  • Sean O’Malley vs. Raulian Paiva

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
  • Dominick Cruz vs. Pedro Munhoz
  • Josh Emmett vs. Dan Ige
  • Eryk Anders vs. Andre Muniz
  • Erin Blanchfield vs. Miranda Maverick

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell
  • Ryan Hall vs. Darrick Minner
  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gillian Robertson
  • Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley
  • Bruno Silva vs. Jordan Wright

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With Eryk Anders out, Roman Dolidze vs. Kyle Daukaus targeted for UFC Fight Night 197

Kyle Daukaus lost his opponent Kevin Holland due to injury days ago.

A middleweight round-robin is unfolding on the UFC Fight Night 197 lineup.

With [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] out, [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] is now expected to face [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag], whose previously-scheduled opponent, Kevin Holland, recently withdrew from the Nov. 13 card due to injury. Contracts are not yet signed but verbal agreements are in place and the bout is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

Two people with knowledge of the change informed MMA Junkie of the newly-targeted booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

UFC Fight Night 197 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streams on ESPN+.

Georgia’s Dolidze (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is 1-1 since he dropped to middleweight in March. Since his UFC debut in July 2020, Dolidze has picked up wins over Khadis Ibragimov, John Allan, and most recently Laureano Staropoli.

Daukaus (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) most recently competed in October when his fight vs. Kevin Holland was declared a no contest. Although Daukaus tapped Holland midway through Round 1, the finish was deemed to have directly stemmed from a fight-changing, incidental clash of heads.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night 197 lineup includes:

  • Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez
  • Jessica Eye vs. Andrea Lee
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Ben Rothwell
  • Philipe Lins vs. Ovince Saint Preux
  • Tucker Lutz vs. Lando Vannata
  • Leah Letson vs. Felicia Spencer
  • Collin Anglin vs. Sean Woodson
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Danilo Marques
  • Julio Arce vs. Song Yadong
  • Joel Alvarez vs. Thiago Moises
  • Kyle Daukaus vs. Roman Dolidze
  • Miguel Baeza vs. Khaos Williams
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Da Un Jung

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UFC 263 adds Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart rematch after illegal knee ended first fight

Eryk Anders and Darren Stewart will run it back at UFC 263 in hopes of getting a controversy-free result.

[autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] and [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] will run it back at UFC 263 in hopes of getting a controversy-free result.

After their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 187 in March ended in a no contest due to an illegal knee strike by Anders, a rematch has been confirmed for June.

UFC officials announced the matchup on Tuesday but revealed it will be contested in the light heavyweight division after the initial matchup took place at middleweight.

UFC 263 takes place June 12 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., with a main card that streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Anders (13-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) was doing well in the initial clash with Stewart (12-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC). He landed some solid strikes and was putting the pressure on his opponent in the early minutes, but he got too overeager pursuing a stoppage and slipped up by landing a knee to a grounded Stewart, which left him unable to continue.

Both men handled the situation with class and apologized. Now they’ll get a chance at a redo.

With the addition, the latest UFC 263 lineup now includes:

  • Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori – for middleweight title
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno – for flyweight title
  • Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards
  • Demian Maia vs. Belal Muhammad
  • Paul Craig vs. Jamahal HillDrew Dober vs. Brad Riddell
  • Jake Collier vs. Carlos Felipe
  • Luigi Vendramini vs. Fares Ziam
  • Hakeem Dawodu vs. Movsar Evloev
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Karol Rosa
  • Joanne Calderwood vs. Lauren Murphy
  • Frank Camacho vs. Matt Frevola
  • Chase Hooper vs. Steven Peterson
  • Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart

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UFC Fight Night 187 medical suspensions: Belal Muhammad faces 30 days after eye poke

Belal Muhammad isn’t facing a long time off after suffering a nasty eye poke against Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 187.

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Thankfully, [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] isn’t facing a potentially long medical suspension coming out of UFC Fight Night 187.

Muhammad’s first headliner vs. Leon Edwards was ruled a no contest after Edwards accidentally poked him in the eye 18 seconds into the second round of their welterweight fight. Visibly in pain, Muhammad was unable to continue and, as a result, the fight was stopped without a winner.

Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) was able to provide a positive update shortly after, stating that he suffered no permanent damage to his eye and was slowly starting to get his vision back. The medical report supports his claim as Muhammad will be prohibited from any contact for 21 days with no contest for 30 days, until he receives doctor clearance for his right eye.

MMA Junkie on Tuesday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC Fight Night 187 medical suspensions includes:

  • [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Belal Muhammad: Must have right eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days; minimum suspension is 21 days.
  • [autotag]Misha Cirkunov[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: Must have left eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days.
  • [autotag]Ashley Yoder[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right ear is cleared by ENT.
  • [autotag]Marcelo Rojo[/autotag]: Must have maxillofacial bones fractures cleared by maxillofacial surgeon and left lamina papyracea cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 180 days.
  • [autotag]Charles Jourdain[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ray Rodriguez[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until left fibula X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Rafa Garcia[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Cortney Casey[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until right foot and right hand X-rays are cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]J.J. Aldrich[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gloria de Paula[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jinh Yu Frey[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Matthew Semelsberger[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jason Witt[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.

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