EXCLUSIVE | Eryk Anders is ‘feeling confident’ ahead of Elias Theodorou fight

Eryk Anders most recently fought back in September when he lost a tough fight to Thiago Santos. However, in his mind, that fight was just a bonus but the fight he really wanted is the one he is getting.

At UFC 231 on December 8, Anders will be taking on Elias Theodorou who is currently ranked No. 13 in the middleweight rankings. It is a fight Anders has wanted for some time.

While the fight is an interesting one, just this year alone Anders has had two main event fights. Along with that, he fought on the main card too, something he hopes will happen at UFC 231.

“I’m pretty sure we are on the main card. It will be awfully disappointing, I’m not going to lie, going from the main event. I’ve been two main events this year, and the other I was on the main card. I’d be disappointed if it was anything less than that,” Anders said in an interview with BJPENN.com. “That being said, Theodorou’s last fight he fought on Fight Pass so maybe they will meet in the middle, I don’t know. We will see what happens, it doesn’t matter where we fight on the lineup, I’m just very confident I’ll get my hand raised, regardless.”

Anders has all the confidence in the world in his game. He can strike with anyone, which he showed in the Santos fight. Not only can he strike, but Anders can also grapple with the best of the best. While Theodorou is mostly a wrestler/grappler, Anders believes he will have the advantage come fight night.

“I think I grapple better than I strike, he will be in my world, in my element come December 8,” added Anders. “I got back from Spain last week and as soon as we touched down I started training the same day. I’m feeling confident and ready to go.”

The former college football player took a much-needed vacation to Spain after the Santos fight. Following the trip, Anders is ready to fight in Toronto. Although Anders loves to travel, traveling to Toronto for the fight in December is something Anders isn’t too keen on.

“I know it is going to be super cold so I’m not looking forward to the temperature or anything like that. I love to travel, something me and my wife love to do,” he said. “It will be apart of the world, although not far from America, it will be apart of the world that I have never seen before. I am sure it will come with some new experiences that I haven’t had either. I’m just excited for the opportunity to fight.”

While the trip will be strictly business for Anders. He is hoping with a win he will join the middleweight rankings, something that is long overdue. However, that is something ‘Ya Boy’ isn’t too worried about.

“Maybe. If not it’ll be okay. I’ll just go on and fight the next one and keep on moving,” Anders said of if he thinks a win over Theodorou would finally put him in the rankings. 

The training camp is underway for Anders, and the hope is he has his hand raised in Toronto and continues his march up the middleweight division. For now, however, it Anders is focused on Theodorou and actually having a full training camp for this fight.

Who do you think will win the fight between Anders and Theodorou?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/12/2018.