Rockford-area MMA fighter one victory from $1 million payday at Bellator 277
"This is the biggest fight of my career," said Corey Anderson, the former Hononegah wrestler who has transformed into a world-renowned professional mixed martial arts star.
He was talking Monday from San Jose, California, and he was talking about his title bout on the Bellator 277 main card on Friday night.
"When you look at what's on the line," he added, "none of them compare."
Anderson knocked out Ryan Bader six months ago to the day (back on Oct. 16, 2021) that he will step back into the circular cage, this time for the light heavyweight Bellator title, as well as for the $1 million pay day that comes with winning the World Grand Prix.
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The Bellator 277 main-card fights will be broadcast on Showtime. And in terms of payout, as well title implications, this is the fight of Anderson's life.
"A million dollars is nice, but I want that belt," Anderson said Monday, shortly after the pre-fight news conference ended. "At the end I want to say I'm the best in the world...I want to be able to look out and tell everybody, 'Quit doubting me. I am the best; I am the champion.'"
Million-dollar day closes in
Anderson (16-5 MMA, 3-0 Bellator) will take on the Russian champ Vadim Nemkov (15-2 MMA, 7-0) for not only the light heavyweight Bellator title, but also for the World Grand Prix championship and the $1 million prize. Winner of seven of his past eight, Anderson is 3-0 since joining Bellator in 2020, and wins over Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and former Bellator dual champ Ryan Bader vaulted him into the showdown with Nemkov in the World Grand Prix final.
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Since his move from the UFC to Bellator, Anderson has enjoyed a lot of personal growth, and he's ready for his first title fight with his newest promoter.
"I got hungry; I got serious," Anderson said of the transition from UFC to Bellator. "And now I'm going out to do my job and get this belt."
UFC gave me the career...Bellator gave me the life!!
In 2 fights 6 months with Bellator, I've made double of what I did in 15 fights (11 wins 2 bonuses) 7 years with UFC. Now I live and enjoy life to the fullest with my family everyday!
Let that marinate....#blessed #worth— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) April 20, 2021
About a year ago he Tweeted out how he made more money in six months with Bellator than he did in the first seven years of his pro career while with the UFC. And he's doing it with a lot more confidence than before, too.
"Confidence is huge in anything: in picking up girls, in getting a job, in everything," Anderson said. "I came over to Bellator, and I really started doing what I needed to do. And I'm doing it with confidence. ... I do everything now with so much confidence."
Anderson reached the final with a TKO of Yagshimuradov in the opening round, then a 51-second TKO of Bader last October. Nemkov reached the final with wins over former champs Phil Davis and Julius Anglickas in 2021, and he won the belt back in August of 2020 with a second-round knockout of Bader.
Nemkov, who has won nine fights in a row, is ranked No. 4 and Anderson No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings.
Anderson doesn't care what the rankings say. He's ready to take the belt away.
"I can win an ugly fight, I can win a pretty fight. I'm ready for anything," Anderson said. "The pressure is all on him. He's trying to prove himself, I've got nothing to prove. I've done it all...Now, I'm just doing this for me, myself and my family."
Rockford watch party all set
Anybody can join in to watch the Rockford area's best MMA pro, Anderson, take part in the biggest fight of his life during Bellator 277 on Friday in a local championship watch party at the Midway Bar.
And they can help raise money for a nonprofit that helps veterans take the trip of a lifetime as well.
The event will be held inside the Rockford Casino at 610 N. Bell School Road in Rockford starting at 6 p.m. Friday. The preliminary bouts will be broadcast on ESPN and YouTube starting at 6 p.m., with the four-fight main card on Showtime starting at 9 p.m.
Go deeper: Rockford Casino rakes in $4.2M in first three weeks of operations
Anderson and the Rockford-based Plus Seven Company partnered with Rockford Casino and Rock’n Vodka for the Bellator 277 championship watch party and VetsRoll fundraiser. The event, titled “Rock with Corey, Roll with Vets,” will showcase Bellator 277 on the Midway Bar and casino big screens.
VetsRoll is a nonprofit started in 2010 that raises money to give veterans the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., at no cost. The four-day trip to various war memorials is returning this year after two years off because of the pandemic.
Born in Rockford and raised in Rockton, Anderson wrestled at Hononegah High School before an All-America collegiate career at three levels: junior college and NCAA Division II and D-III. Now, he's fighting for a world title in Bellator MMA.
A.J. McKee will take on Patricio Freire for the featherweight title in the other co-main event on Friday night. But those who show up at the Midway Bar will most likely be there to watch the area MMA star.
"I'm not playing games. I'm here to get a job done," said Anderson, who still spends plenty of time in his hometown of Rockton. He lives with his wife and two kids and trains out of Robbinsville, N.J., these days, though. "I want to get this belt for (my family). I'm going to win, and it's going to feel great.
"My world is ground and pound. If I get you in my way, it's going to be trouble."
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Bellator 277: Corey Anderson vs. Vadim Nemkov grand prix finale
