So long, “Ya Boi.”
Veteran Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight Eryk Anders scored the final win of his career when he defeated fellow veteran Brad Tavares via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 114 yesterday (Sat., March 14, 2026) inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Following the victory, Anders laid down his gloves and announced his retirement inside the Octagon, handing them to his longtime coach — and in the process spoiling Tavares’ bid to make UFC history for the most wins in Middleweight
division history.
“That’s it for me, man,” Anders said during his in-cage interview with Michael Bisping. “I’ve had a hell of a career. I got a win out here in front of my son, so that’s huge for me. I just don’t have the balls for this stuff no more, man.”
Watch Anders’ retirement speech below:
Anders (18-9) now joins the ultra-rare group of fighters who managed to retire following a victory — something that doesn’t happen often in the brutal world of mixed martial arts.
“Ya Boi” entered the promotion with plenty of hype thanks to his background as a former linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. While he never quite reached title contention, he carved out a long and respectable UFC career spanning 20 fights.
Anders even headlined a UFC event against Lyoto Machida in just his third fight with the promotion, and then against Thiago Santos. Over the course of his run, he also earned four post-fight bonuses, including two Fight of the Night awards.
Among his most notable wins are victories over Gerald Meerschaert, Kyle Daukaus, Chris Weidman — and now Tavares in the final bout of his career.
For complete UFC Vegas 114 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
