Is Eryk Anders the example of "A-level Athletes" from team sports MMA is looking for?

He ran a 4.55 at 230 lbs. Who is running faster than that? It's fundamentals you moron. Something you wouldn't know anything about eating cheetoh bowls on your couch.

Are you really this dumb or just don’t like admitting you have no idea what you’re talking about?

If the guy was good nuff to be starter on a ncaa team (good one at that) that means he understands the game of football. If that same guy can’t make it to the pros, it can only mean one thing...

He’s not athletic nuff.

N that’s where you have consider size.

300 pounds guy running 40 in 4.5 is not the same as 200 pound guy.

He was basically undersized at his position (lb) n simply didn’t have athleticism (mobility/agility) to play s or cb.

Unless you think all the nfl scouts are morons for passing on him n you’re the only one that saw his potential
 
Are you really this dumb or just don’t like admitting you have no idea what you’re talking about?

If the guy was good nuff to be starter on a ncaa team (good one at that) that means he understands the game of football. If that same guy can’t make it to the pros, it can only mean one thing...

He’s not athletic nuff.

N that’s where you have consider size.

300 pounds guy running 40 in 4.5 is not the same as 200 pound guy.

He was basically undersized at his position (lb) n simply didn’t have athleticism (mobility/agility) to play s or cb.

Unless you think all the nfl scouts are morons for passing on him n you’re the only one that saw his potential

This is why you don't debate fat nerds on sports issues. They literally don't have the slightest clue of what they are talking about. If these football players know everything about football, why do they miss tackles? Why do they blow coverage? Why do they lack technique in certain areas?

The greatest WR is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest QB is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest safety, etc.

You have been exposed, debunked, and embarrassed. Time for you to go on the ignore list with the other idiots who can't handle the pressures of reality.
 
This is why you don't debate fat nerds on sports issues. They literally don't have the slightest clue of what they are talking about. If these football players know everything about football, why do they miss tackles? Why do they blow coverage? Why do they lack technique in certain areas?

The greatest WR is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest QB is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest safety, etc.

You have been exposed, debunked, and embarrassed. Time for you to go on the ignore list with the other idiots who can't handle the pressures of reality.
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Anders was never considered a great athlete at Alabama. He was one of those linebackers that was all about hustle, heart, toughness and leadership. Those guys are fairly common in college football but rarely make it to the next level, particularly when they're undersized like Anders. His raw athleticism would probably be rated a C or D compared to NFL athletes.

With that said, it's those same qualities above that have allowed him to transfer effectively to MMA. He has that toughness and the fighter mentality that you can't teach, couple with some decent athleticism for the sport of MMA.
 
or mma fans are just insecure
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No insecurity at all, but this A-level athlete talk all the time is nonsense (you know it is as well).

Like I said before it's easier to look great when you're just running a ball up and down a court or a field instead of getting punched and kicked in the face.
 
No insecurity at all, but this A-level athlete talk all the time is nonsense (you know it is as well).

Like I said before it's easier to look great when you're just running a ball up and down a court or a field instead of getting punched and kicked in the face.
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Anders was never considered a great athlete at Alabama. He was one of those linebackers that was all about hustle, heart, toughness and leadership. Those guys are fairly common in college football but rarely make it to the next level, particularly when they're undersized like Anders. His raw athleticism would probably be rated a C or D compared to NFL athletes.

With that said, it's those same qualities above that have allowed him to transfer effectively to MMA. He has that toughness and the fighter mentality that you can't teach, couple with some decent athleticism for the sport of MMA.

im 100% sure there are some guys, but how do you know they can't "learn" that if the money is right? Maybe my brother is the best example: He is a lot stronger&faster than me - many trainers in Germany/Italy said he should try combat sports (others said soccer), but that thing is, he doesnt like to fight because he doesnt want to hurt people.

I think he only tried BJJ under Federico Tisi and they said he is talented ... but im not sure about this part.


Deontay Wilder is probably the best example:
 
I remember Rogan was talking about how Lebron James would destroy heavyweights if he trained. I remember thinking that this was the guy that looked like he was about to cry when he got a leg cramp. He's going to dominate MMA?

We can all agree that Joe says some stupid shit from time to time. The Ronda and Edmond praise will never be forgotten. Joe went Sherdog 101 when Ronda fell off for good, and I guess some other Edmond fighters. Talked Edmond up like he’s an amazing coach, that Ronda is one of the GOAT’s, she’d beat much of (most?) of men’s BW, etc. When she fell off and other Edmond fighters lost a few in a row, he basically ‘admitted’ Ronda was meh and Edmond is a terrible coach. That’s classic Sherdog.
 
This is why you don't debate fat nerds on sports issues. They literally don't have the slightest clue of what they are talking about. If these football players know everything about football, why do they miss tackles? Why do they blow coverage? Why do they lack technique in certain areas?

The greatest WR is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest QB is one of the least athletic of all time. The greatest safety, etc.

You have been exposed, debunked, and embarrassed. Time for you to go on the ignore list with the other idiots who can't handle the pressures of reality.

No kid you just make yourself look like an even bigger ignoramus everytime you post.

Just cause a player makes a mistake once in a while, doesn’t mean they don’t understand the game. It just means they made a mistake that time. It happens to the best players out there.

N you bringing up qbs in this discussion just reaffirms you have no idea what you’re talking about. Qbs don’t need to be fast/explosive to do their jobs. It’s a skill position.

A lb needs size + athleticism to be effective.

Now I know you’re slow so let me repeat again

When it comes to this guy, he was a starter on a ncaa team (one of the top programs). He wouldn’t be a starter if he was an athletic freak who’s always outta position or missing his plays.

His inability to go pro was to him being undersized not athletic nuff for the nfl.

Now that you got schooled you can get lost
 

Thank You for asking. I just don’t see much progress in him. Granted, he’s only been in MMA a few years, but there’s nothing about him that stands out in terms of talent or potential. He has knoockout power for sure, but against an opponent with head movement, or a decemt ground game, that power is not going to be enough.
 
Has he trained for more than 6 months? If yes, then no, he is not A lvl athlete.
A lvl athlete is UFC champ within 6 months of training.
 
It comes down to opinion / results during draft selection. His results may have been good but the gut feeling is he’s not the guy. If he was given the chance he may very well have been “that guy” that delivered.

Sometimes right place at the right time change your trajectory.
 
Check this article please:
https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/tides_eryk_anders_makes_one_la.html

"One year to be more than the undersized, pass-rushing specialist who famously preserved Alabama's 2009 national title by sacking Texas' quarterback and forcing a fumble."

"Anders has added 25 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame since the BCS Championship Game and now weighs 245 pounds. He says he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds recently in training and believes he can rush the quarterback in the NFL."

It seems to be that he WAS a successful football player and hadn't he been undersized, he could've had a bright future in the NFL.
He actually had to BULK to 245 to be there.Now he's a MIDDLEWEIGHT.

Is it something MMA orgs have to aim for - successful yet undersized fighters from team sports than can be VERY successful in MMA and take it to new level?

It's a start, but improving the health of the terribly shallow larger divisions in MMA is not really about A-level athletes crossing over from other sports, it's about A-level athletes choosing MMA at a younger age instead of other sports.

Consider how someone like former NFL guy Mittrione didn't even have his first MMA fight until he was 30 and yet was able to compile a very respectable 9-5 record in the premier organization. Now consider how much more successful he would have been with his gifts had he been in muay thai or wrestling or boxing or bjj since he was 12. Same with Schaub who didn't get into martial arts until well after his development years and yet was also able to compile a respectable positive record in the Big Show.

Same deal with Anders. He's 11-1 (4-1 UFC) even though he only took up martial arts in his 20s. Imagine how much better he'd be, with all his natural talent, if instead of choosing the big $$$ sport as a kid he'd chosen wrestling like a DC or a Jones.
 
This whole idea on who's considered an A-Level athlete and who's not is just pure bullshit. At the end of the day, they're all athletes getting paid to do whatever sport they're in, some just happen to be better at said sport than others.

This is the kind of talk that you can expect from a guy who's probably an F level athlete. At best.
 
Consider how someone like former NFL guy Mittrione didn't even have his first MMA fight until he was 30 and yet was able to compile a very respectable 9-5 record in the premier organization. Now consider how much more successful he would have been with his gifts had he been in muay thai or wrestling or boxing or bjj since he was 12. Same with Schaub who didn't get into martial arts until well after his development years and yet was also able to compile a respectable positive record in the Big Show.

Same deal with Anders. He's 11-1 (4-1 UFC) even though he only took up martial arts in his 20s. Imagine how much better he'd be, with all his natural talent, if instead of choosing the big $$$ sport as a kid he'd chosen wrestling like a DC or a Jones.

That's a problem impossible to resolve for now. MMA is simply less attractive than team sports for young sportsmen.
 
Not just "happen to be".
It's more popular sport, more known and respectful.
So it attracts more successful sportsmen.

Now there are leftovers these sports belch like Greg Hardy, but Anders is a different story, as I explained.

It's not just about popularity and respect though. It's skewed because of how USA centric Sherdog is. To Americans, NBA and NFL players are A-Level athletes because those sports are popular and respected there.

Around the world though they are significantly less popular, something like football would be the most popular and respected worldwide . Yet most Americans would be like "Lulz soccer is a girl's sport, they are D-Level at best."


I agree with the person that said it's all bullshit.
 
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