Former Bama Football Player Eryk Anders Speaks on UFC 263 Win

The highly anticipated fight is over and Eryk Anders is victorious.

"Back in the winners' circle," Anders said in a Facebook post after his UFC 263 matchup took place Saturday.

After training both mentally and physically, Anders hoped to get back to a high level of performance while also taking home a win, and the former Alabama football player accomplished both this weekend. 

"I think I proved I wanted it more," Anders said in a post-interview fight with UFC. 

Anders was a member of the Crimson Tide from 2006-2009 and as part of the 2009 National Championship team, Anders forced a fumble that led to a touchdown for the Tide.

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After his football career, Anders said he had a tough start. 

“Even with a college degree that everyone on earth told me I needed, I worked construction, janitor, cleaned apartments, for Coca-Cola, CSR, and was even homeless at one point. All within a year of winning a championship,” Anders said on Facebook. 

The majority of Anders' fans assumed that he quit football, but he assured them the opposite was true. 

“Football quit me,” Anders said. 

Anders said he was frustrated, that his life was not going according to plan and he decided to go to the gym to relieve his stress. Soon after, Anders was introduced to mixed martial arts fighting. 

“I feel in love with the sport immediately,” said Anders in an interview with MMA Fighting. 

Anders knew wanted to branch out and do something different, so he started training as much as possible. He understood this new career would not be easy, but was hopeful for the future and was already used to building things on his own. 

His “crazy journey” has proved to be successful, as Anders' record is now 13-5-1. Anders has literally and metaphorically fought his way here, and found fighting to be more than just a paycheck -- on Twitter, he said that he has found his passion. 

Anders said after his time with the Tide, he thought he was no longer a hero in the Tuscaloosa community.

Now, he said, Druid City residents show him love on social media daily and many consider him an inspiration for his continuous drive and they want Anders to know they supported him through this fight and will continue that support wherever his journey takes him.