Eryk “Ya Boi”Anders

Eryk Anders is a professional mixed martial artist and former NCAA Division 1 college football star. He began his MMA career in 2011 after an illustrious collegiate football career at the University of Alabama. Since then, he has competed in several regional promotions, including Bellator MMA and Legacy Fighting Championship, before joining the UFC roster in 2018.

Anders is from Birmingham, Alabama where he played high school football for Jackson-Olin High School. After graduating high school, Eryk became a three-year starter for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide as a linebacker from 2003 to 2006. During his time with the Crimson Tide he was awarded All-SEC honors during his junior season and also had two appearances on ESPNs Top 10 Plays Of The Day list; one coming against Florida State when he ended their title hopes by intercepting a pass late in regulation and another against Texas Tech that was labeled “The Catch” by coach Mike Shula which sealed Bama’s victory over the Red Raiders that season.

After graduating college with an undergraduate degree in political science, Eryk pursued mixed martial arts full time while operating Eleiko Sport Performance Systems out of Birmingham where athletes come to train under him with proper strength & conditioning guidance to better their performance levels on fight night. His efforts paid off when he signed his first professional contract with Legacy FC (later acquired by RFA) which later led him to be contracted with Bellator MMA after going 5–0 within two years competing mostly outside of major organizations such as XFC & CES MMA while also making stops in King Of The Cage & Shamrock FC along the way winning championships at both promotions along the way via TKO or submission victories respectively including split decisions wins over future UFC fighters Justin Scoggins & Raoni Barcelos respectively as well resulting in being named Sherdog’s Breakout Fighter Of The Year award winner 2016/2017. Those combined efforts gained him attention from Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series where he got signed into UFC shortly thereafter becoming only one of four Alabamian natives ever to make it into “the big show” .

In just two years since being signed Anders has already compiled some impressive results going 6–3 overall filling roles from main event slots all throughout prelim cards taking names like Lyoto Machida , Tim Williams , Khalil Rountree Jr., Elias Theodorou etc…with 2 finishes earning Fight Of The Night bonuses vs Machida knockout win vs Williams & most recently defeating Krzysztof Jotko at UFC London this past March 2020 thus adding momentum towards gaining television exposure via increased popularity among fans despite not having many accolades earned yet due lack few opportunities presented lately due injuries suffered nor having any major sponsorships thus far

Outside fighting Eryk still operates Eleiko Performance Systems maintaining gym programs now across country also donating books partaking volunteerism activities every chance gets without fail often times being found signing autographs attending meet n greets while conducting physical fitness seminars community events all around Southern USA area plus fitness podcasts conversational topics amongst other endeavors setting example other young athletes alike strive follow always finding ways give back raising bar continuously regarding personal ethical values standpoints set forth himself those around him through honest hard work determination shows keeps pursuing dreams no matter what comes his way