Corey Anderson’s departure from the UFC seemed amicable enough. Anderson himself made it clear that the principal reason he decided to depart the world’s largest MMA promotion had nothing to do with any deeply held animosity toward his former fighting home.
Instead, Anderson says his major epiphany came as a result of the recent head injury he suffered after passing out during a recent hike.
In a recent interview, he made the following statements:
“It’s nothing against the UFC, During the health ordeal, everyday, I was getting checked on by Taylor Price. If there was a bill or something that got sent to my house, it was taken care of. They were on top of everything. There was no problem, no hiccups with that whole health ordeal.”
“Hunter [Campbell] reached out and checked on me, Mick [Maynard] checked on me, everything was smooth. But just at that point, I had been there seven years, I had five losses and they had all these new guys coming in. It was time to go somewhere else.”
During a recent post-fight presser, however, promotion president Dana White gave his own perspective on why Anderson left the UFC.
“First of all, it’s the right move for him,” White told reporters. “You know, this isn’t something that we’ve never done before. And I think that he feels, and we feel that he can be more competitive there.”
Corey Anderson: Next Bellator light heavyweight champion?
Anderson cited the benefits of being able to earn more money, gain more sponsorship, and still fight for a prestigious title while facing the same potential risks that he would in the UFC as the key factors behind his move. But White’s assessment focused more on his former fighter’s ability to succeed in the rival promotion.
“I think that he feels, and we feel, that he can be more competitive there,” White said.
“It doesn’t bother me that he’s still lyin on my name. Anyone who knows me or knows MMA knows this isn’t true. But what doesn’t sit right with me is the people I consider close to me who have power that knows this isn’t true are sitting quiet. Just know I see you. #thataintloyal”
It doesn't bother me that he's still lyin on my name. Anyone who knows me or knows MMA knows this isn't true. But what doesn't sit right with me is the people I consider close to me who have power that knows this isn't true are sitting quiet. Just know I see you. #thataintloyal https://t.co/xRhP5wsHuf
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) August 24, 2020
“They were ready to release me so quick, I was like let’s do it, let’s see what other options are out there. (Manager Ali Abdelaziz) made some calls. He called me back a few minutes later with Bellator, a big contract and all I’m going to say is I get a show and a win bonus. My show money in Bellator, I make more than I would have in the UFC winning with the Reebok sponsors and anything else I would have got,” Anderson said.
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