Current Bellator light-heavyweight champion, Corey Anderson was a staple of the UFC’s 205lbs division for over six years.

Winning ten out of his fifteen fights inside the UFC’s octagon, Anderson was at one point closing in on a UFC light-heavyweight title shot before a knockout loss to Jan Błachowicz. During his tenure with the organisation he racked up wins over former champions, Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz during their first encounter.

Corey Anderson against Glover Teixeira during his UFC run

Photo credit: Corey Anderson Instagram

Anderson would go on to leave the UFC during the summer of 2020 and join rival organisation, Bellator MMA. Anderson recently realised his dream and his lifelong ambition of becoming a world champion by defeating Karl Moore at the Bellator Champion Series in Dublin, to claim the Bellator light heavyweight title.

Anderson after winning the Bellator light-heavyweight title

Photo credit: Bellator MMA

However it seems as though Anderson is not too fond of his former organisation and the division he once competed in. When asked about how he sees the UFC’s 205lbs division and the excitement that champion, Alex Pereira has brought, Anderson didn’t seem to think much of it.

In an interview with From The Stands, Anderson offered his thoughts on the ‘wish-washy’ division:

“I think it’s getting a little more wish-washy. There’s no real staples. It’s at that point where every title fight the belt could change. There isn’t any names where you could say oh this guy is gonna run with this belt forever. Yes [Alex] Pereira 100% he’s dangerous, but in his last fight expect for Jan Blachowicz, who has he fought with an ability to take him down”

When asked about a hypothetical ‘champ vs. champ’ matchup with Alex Pereria, whilst respectful of Pereira’s power and skillset, Anderson seems to favour his chances:

“He’s got that calf kick, he’s got the strikes and the hook. That’s it. I mean I’m not just gonna go out there and dive for a shot, he knows it’s gonna be coming. You gotta know how to mix it up, make him feel like it’s gonna be a comfortable striking fight then to take him down and if it gets to a point where he is defending the takedowns then you may have to strike a little bit. Stay prepared and ready to strike here and there. It would be a huge IQ fight. He’s dangerous with his calf kick or his hook….It’s about making sure he doesn’t land that shot on your chin and get to your game plan before he can hit you”

Anderson will look to make his return at some point this year and looks to hold onto the gold heading into the PFL vs. Bellator event in 2025.