MMA Icon Eryk Anders' Bold Move Sparks Gossipy Grease for Possible Battle
Will Eryk Anders' decision after UFC Fight Night 269 become one of those classic "MMA retirements" that doesn't stick? He doesn't think so, but ...
LAS VEGAS – Eryk Anders met the media Saturday after his win over Brad Tavares at UFC Fight Night 269. Anders (18-9 MMA, 10-9 UFC) outworked Tavares (21-12 MMA, 16-12 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the prelims at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Then, in a bit of a surprise move, he took his gloves off and announced his retirement from MMA in the cage.
At his post-fight news conference, he said the timing was right. "I'm done. There's a lot internally that goes on.
I'm happy. I'm at peace," Anders said. "Twenty fights (in the UFC), I've made some money, I've got my gym I've been running and it's profitable already.
I'm almost 40 – I'll be 39 next month. "Tonight, I probably felt better than I've ever felt before going into the cage – physically, mentally, everything. I was very confident.