“Since I decided to get into this sport, since 2009, the goal was to be a UFC fighter. Then, immediately, the goal was to be a UFC champion. Fourteen years later, I’m here to tell you that I’m hanging up the gloves in the UFC. I no longer will be fighting in the organization that changed my life in so many ways.” Chris Weidman said on the UFC 311 weigh-in show, just a month after his final Octagon outing. And honestly, it made sense. The 24-fight veteran had recently turned 40 and was 3-8 in his last 11 bouts. His final and heartbreaking defeat came against 38-year-old Filipino-born fighter Eryk Anders in a 195lbs catchweight bout at UFC 310, who showcased his knockout power by finishing ‘The All-American’ in the second round.

A brutal loss that ultimately led the former champion to realize it was time to hang up his gloves. Interestingly, the victory meant just as much for Anders. The former football player turned MMA fighter has had a career full of ups and downs, and at that point, his resume wasn’t the strongest. But now, with back-to-back wins under his belt — the latest against a big name like Weidman — ‘Ya Boi’ is starting to build momentum again. After all, the former UFC champion isn’t just any fighter; he holds knockout wins over legends like Lyoto Machida and was the first man to slay Anderson Silva (twice) in the UFC, and that too at the peak of his ‘Matrix’ powers.

As tough as it was to see, Weidman faced the harsh reality that comes with age in a brutal sport like MMA. But what about Eryk Anders? Was he truly satisfied with beating a veteran in the twilight of his career? In an exclusive conversation with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw, the Alabama native opened up about exactly that. When asked how it felt to “beat a legend like that,” Anders didn’t sugarcoat his feelings. He admitted that while ‘The All-American’ may no longer be in his prime, the respect for his legacy remains strong.

Speaking candidly, Eryk Anders said: “You know, reality is obviously he’s a shadow of his former self, but at the same time, his name still carries weight with the resume that he has — former champion, Anderson Silva. I went out there and finished him, so that feels good. A nice little feather in my cap, you know, to beat a former champion regardless of where they’re at in their career.” The ex-LFA star made it clear: Beating a legend still holds value, no matter what stage they’re at.

His remarks shouldn’t be ignored. Much like Weidman once did, Eryk Anders made waves on the regional scene before stepping into the UFC with a lot of hype behind him. And so his comments on one of MMA’s best champions mean something. Moreover, many regarded the Simpsonville native, in his early days, as “one of the most highly touted blue-chip middleweight prospects ever,” a reputation his dominant performances quickly built. From the moment he debuted, the former UFC champ rattled off an impressive nine-fight win streak, a run that saw him capture the middleweight title and defend it three times.

However, things took a turn during his fourth title defense when Luke Rockhold handed him a devastating loss — a moment that sparked a series of injuries and setbacks from which ‘The All-American’ never truly recovered. Sadly, he was never the same after that, and now, Chris Weidman has officially walked away from the sport. Even so, Weidman’s influence remains. His legacy left a lasting impression, especially on the career of the man who sent him into retirement, Eryk Anders. Let’s find out how!

Eryk Anders shares how his win over Chris Weidman changed everything

Eryk Anders, once crowned the LFA Middleweight Champion, spent much of his life uncertain about where his career would take him. Early on, football dominated his path — he played linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide during his senior season, where his success helped him land a spot with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. But football didn’t fully satisfy him.

In 2012, the Alabama export made a life-changing decision to switch gears and pursue a career in MMA, beginning at the amateur level. After grinding through several regional promotions, ‘Ya Boi’ finally earned his shot at the UFC in 2017. He made an immediate impact, picking up a few early wins, but soon found himself in an unpredictable cycle of losses and wins — a mixed bag that defined much of his run.

Now, however, it seems the tides have finally started to turn for the Filipino export. Eryk Anders’ recent momentum, sparked by his victory over former UFC champion Chris Weidman, marks a resurgence he hasn’t felt since 2019. This win has brought noticeable change, both in his career and personal life.

Speaking to EssentiallySports, Eryk Anders reflected on just how different things felt after beating a name as big as the Simpsonville native. He shared: “You know, when I beat Weidman, I literally had 400 text messages, a bunch of missed calls, a bunch of DMs — you know, things like that. I guess the last person I lost to was Barriault. When I lost to him, I had like 10 text messages, and they were from my brother, sister, and my mom.”

Now, Anders finds himself standing at the twilight of his career. Much like Chris Weidman before him, he’s at a crucial crossroads — and where he heads next is anyone’s guess. Will time be the deciding factor, or will Dana White and the UFC brass have a say in shaping his future? What’s your take on where Eryk Anders goes from here? Drop your thoughts below!