Since Eryk Anders signed with the UFC in late 2017, the former University of Alabama linebacker has experienced his fair share of ups and downs.
At UFC on ESPN+ 19, Anders (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) will look to turn a win into a win streak when he takes on Gerald Meerschaert (30-11 MMA, 5-3 UFC). The event takes place Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The card streams on ESPN+.
After he went 3-1 to kick off his UFC tenure, Anders lost three straight fights. In his most recent outing, Anders picked up a much-needed victory when he knocked Vinicius Moreira out inside the first round of their June contest.
Despite his rollercoaster ride of an eight-fight UFC tenure to date, Anders said his confidence never falters. He enters every fight with the same mindset – he’s going to win at all costs.
“My confidence is forever unwavering,” Anders told MMA Junkie. “Each fight has a life of its own. The last one has nothing to do with the next one. It does feel good to go out there and get a win and three checks. It’s a good deal.
“I expect to win and put in a lot of work and effort into this. When I go out there and compete, I expect to win. Just go out there and get the results. That’s what you want in the fashion that you want them. I’m happy about it.”
In his UFC career, Anders hasn’t faced an opponent with the submission resume of Meerschaert. The Roufusport product is known for his submission prowess and ability to finish a fight no matter which way the fight’s momentum is swinging.
“It doesn’t matter how the fights going for him, he’s good at finishing and snatching up those submission,” Anders said. “He’s a guy I can’t take lightly, but will be happy to put away. I can’t let him linger around. Because no matter what you do to him, no matter who he’s fighting or how the fight is going, good or bad for him, he has a knack for catching that neck.”
While Meerschaert sports nine times the submission victories of his foe, Anders voiced his belief he can compete with anyone if the fight hits the ground.
“I’m super confident no matter where the fight takes place,” Anders said. “I don’t have a lot of submissions myself, but that doesn’t mean I’m not knowledgeable or competent on the ground to avoid the submissions, catch the submissions of my own, or get back to my feet.”
When he envisions the fight, Anders sees nothing but victory. He said fans can expect to see what they always do when Eryk Anders steps into the UFC cage.
“Y’all are going to see what I get up to when I get in there to fight,” Anders said. “I’m looking to end the fight and put on an entertaining fight for as long as it lasts and put him away with an impressive performance.”
