Eryk Anders: ‘What I Think is Completely Irrelevant’ Regarding Scorecards in Machida Defeat

Eryk Anders suffered his first mixed martial arts defeat in heartbreaking fashion, falling to Lyoto Machida via split decision in his opponent’s hometown.

While Anders’ loss to Machida in the UFC Fight Night 125 headliner in Belem, Brazil, certainly could fall into the “contentious” category, the former University of Alabama linebacker seems to understand that it comes with the territory.

“What I think is completely irrelevant,” Anders said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “The only people that matter [regarding] who won the fight are the three judges. I didn’t get it done. And I feel like that’s what happens when you play an away game, so to speak. The home team gets the calls. I think the fight was pretty close. If we were in America, maybe I get the calls, but we’re here in Brazil, his hometown. Like I said the only people that matter are the three judges.”

Judges Guilherme Bravo (48-47) and Tony Weeks (49-46) scored the middleweight contest in favor of Machida, while Marcos Rosales submitted a 48-47 scorecard for Anders. Anders had his moments, most notably a perfectly timed knee along the fence in the third round that opened a cut near Machida’s eye and hindered his vision for the rest of the fight. He also landed the bout’s only three takedowns, although he was unable to keep “The Dragon” grounded for any significant period of time.

However, Machida maintained a clear 62-to-32 edge in significant strikes and outlanded his foe in each round. Ultimately, Anders will regret not forcing the action more when he had the chance.

“I think I was just a little too hesitant to pull the trigger,” Anders said. “I think when I did pull the trigger I cut him open, I rocked him, I took him down. So maybe if I do more of that, I win the fight. That’s not the way it played out. He did a good job of moving. I think I respected his counterpunching a little bit too much.

“I should’ve pushed the pace, stayed in his face, kept him against the cage a little bit. I think I did a good job of dictating where the fight took place, just not enough pressure.”

Despite the defeat, Anders says he emerged from UFC Fight Night 125 relatively unscathed. Because of that, he’s more than willing to make a quick turnaround should the opportunity arise.

“I’m healthy. I have no bumps, bruises or injuries,” Anders said. “I know David Branch’s opponent [Yoel Romero] got moved up to fight [Luke] Rockhold. So if he’s been training and in shape and still wants to get down [at UFC on Fox] in Orlando, I’d be more than happy to oblige him.”