This guy's a knockout!
Eryk Anders, who played for the Alabama Crimson Tide during its 2009 championship season, won his UFC debut Saturday by knocking out Rafael "Sapo" Natal at 2:54 of the first round in a middleweight bout — a fight he took on short notice.
The win, at UFC on Fox 25, was the ninth-consecutive professional victory for the 6'1, 185 Anders, now 31. He was also undefeated in five amateur contests.
Anders played four seasons at Alabama (2006-2009) and as a senior, he was an integral part of an Alabama defense that helped lead the team to the 2009 national championship. Anders finished his senior season with 65 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.