BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – If you're an Alabama football fan or a UFC fan, Eric Anders is probably a name you know.
Some Crimson Tide fans may have images of Anders playing in the 2009-2010 BCS title game between Alabama and Texas floating in their minds. With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, with Alabama leading 24-21, Anders tackled then-Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert and forced a fumble, which ultimately decided the game and resulted in Nick It was the kickoff to the Saban dynasty.
It's a moment that will be remembered forever, but unfortunately the football didn't work out. So Anders decided to try a different sport, trading his soccer for wrestling gloves and replacing the grass with a mat.
“I went from being a black belt in football to being a white belt in martial arts,” Anders said.
Anders worked for Coca-Cola and was once a customer service representative, doing everything under the sun. But nothing satisfied him more than training. Anders made his UFC debut against Birmingham in 2017 and now wants to help others pick up the gloves.
“There's no better person to teach you how to fight than someone who has competed at the highest level for a long period of time,” Anders said.
Anders is never one to back down from a fight, he knows the fight. He has continued to fight throughout his life to obtain these opportunities. Anders, 36, has three fights left on his UFC contract. He said how long it would take. When it's over, all he wants to do is train others how to fight, just like he once learned all those years ago.
“Don't be afraid of failure,” Anders says. “I'm not afraid to fail. I'll try, and if it works, it will work, and if it doesn't, what have I really got to lose?”
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