Former Alabama football player and current UFC figher, Eryk Anders has lined up his next contest in the octagon and its with a familiar opponent. Anders will take on Darren Steward at UFC 263 on June 12. Anders and Stewart fought to a no contest decision on March 13 at UFC Fight Night Edwards vs. Muhammad.

In the March fight, Anders appeared to assert himself in the first round utilizing his heavy hands and dirty boxing in the clinch to rattle the favorite, Stewart. Unfortunately for the former Crimson Tide outside linebacker he struck Stewart with an illegal knee to the head and the doctor deemed Stewart unfit to finish the fight.

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Anders is 13-5-1 in his career in mixed martial arts however his five losses have occurred in his last nine fights. Had he been able to finish off Stewart legally in their March matchup it would have put his career path back on an upswing.

Anders has competed in both the light heavyweight division and the middleweight divisions of the UFC and is currently fighting at the 185-pound middleweight class.

The UFC 263 card is already loaded with two championship fights, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will take on Marvin Vettori in the main event while flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo will square up with Brandon Moreno in the co-main event. The card also features popular fighters Nate Diaz and Demian Maia.

Anders is most known by Crimson Tide fans for his strip-sack of Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the 2009 national championship game. In his four seasons with the Crimson Tide Anders accumulated 98 tackles, 8.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and one interception.

BCS National Championship - Alabama v Texas
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