Corey Anderson returns in the main event of Bellator Champions Series: Belfast, reveals the biggest lesson he’s learned has been listening to his body.
Fan-favorite veteran Corey Anderson returns to the cage this Friday in the main event of the Bellator Champions Series in Belfast, against Karl Moore for the vacant light heavyweight world title.
It will be Anderson’s second shot at the belt in just 16 months and speaking to MMAJunkie, blamed “wrestler’s mentality” for his attitude towards never turning down a fight; even when injuries prevented him from training at 100%.
Corey Anderson shares ‘lessons learned’ ahead of Bellator title shot
Corey Anderson will get the opportunity to become Bellator world champion again on Friday in Belfast, with the event set to be available to stream via Max (formally HBO Max) in the US as part of a new broadcast deal.
Anderson previously had the chance to win the belt against Vadim Nemkov but after an accidental clash of heads ruled the bout a no contest, the American was forced into a quick turnaround and lost the rematch via unanimous decision.
Speaking with MMAJunkie ahead of his upcoming main event feature against Irishman Karl Moore, Anderson revealed that he entered the second Nemkov fight with a string of injuries that prevented him from training to the best of his ability:
“The biggest thing that I’ve learned is to train like you always train…We were battling injuries going into the first Nemkov fight, and they told me we’re going to run it back right away so there’s no point going to get surgery or PRP or stem cells, none of that – just get right back in the gym and start training.”
The 34-year-old explained that these injuries stopped him from training in all the different facets of MMA and he didn’t have a chance to recover as camp was extended again and again:
“Our goal was just to try and make it to the fight, we don’t want to get hurt, so we didn’t really train hard…Then they kept pushing the fight off, pushing the fight off and he had more time to heal but I was just making my injuries worse.”
Anderson, who made his professional MMA debut back in 2013, admitted he was “scared” that if he trained properly, he “wasn’t going to make the fight, and I’ve never pulled out of a fight.”
“So, I trained a little different, like I trained hard but I didn’t do what I needed to – that’s what I’ve learned, we can’t do that again no matter what…We’re not cutting it short no more…That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned, don’t count your chickens before they hatch…And I counted my chickens way before they hatched.”
It’s a mindset and attitude that many wrestlers-turned-MMA-athletes must learn the hard way, with Anderson noting that “100% we are definitely our worst enemies,” when it comes to training through the pain, before adding “that’s just the wrestler’s mentality.”
“It’s hard to get passed it because especially if you’re like me wrestling since third grade all through your senior year in college, that’s just what it is.”
What is for certain is that Anderson is thankfully healthy and ready to go Friday evening; with an injury-free Anderson being a terrifying prospect for anyone to face, let alone with the added pressure of for a world championship.
Corey Anderson vs Karl Moore takes place on Friday, March 22 from the SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland.