Corey Anderson’s journey through mixed martial arts reads like a lesson in perseverance, grit, and the often-unforgiving world of modern sports marketing. Once a top-five contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, Anderson’s career has taken him from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the global stages of Bellator and the PFL, all while wrestling with an issue that’s become increasingly central in combat sports: the power of social media over merit.
In 2019, Anderson’s resume was as strong as anyone’s in the 205-pound division. He had racked up a four-fight win streak, dispatching notable names like Johnny Walker—a red-hot prospect at the time—Ilir Latifi, former champion Glover Teixeira, and Patrick Cummins. For many, that kind of run would have been enough to secure a title shot, especially with Jon Jones reigning as champion and in need of new challengers. But Anderson never got his chance.
Looking back, Anderson recalls a pivotal conversation with UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell. “Hunter Campbell, when I left the UFC before the Johnny Walker fight, he had a conversation with me and he told me ‘We can’t give you a title fight, it’s 100% that you deserve a title fight, but we can’t give it to you because your social media isn’t there,’” Anderson told MMA Fighting. The words stung, marking a stark departure from the days when fighters were measured by their skills inside the cage rather than their follower count.
“The way I grew up in the sport, it was about how good you were. Not how good your social media was,” Anderson said. “It’s not about who’s the best anymore. It’s about who’s going to put butts in the seats. The fans determine who’s the best fighter off who has the biggest social media [following].”
Anderson’s Instagram following in 2025 sits at 133,000—a respectable number, but a far cry from the millions boasted by some of the sport’s most marketable stars. During his UFC prime, his follower count was even lower. For Anderson, who prefers to post about his family rather than flexing in the gym or hyping up fights, the lack of a flashy social media presence may have cost him the biggest opportunity of his career.
“I never marketed myself,” Anderson admitted. “I wasn’t one to be on social media all the time posting stuff like ‘I’m going to knock this guy out,’ posting sparring, beating guys or posting highlights of me training and fighting. I post family stuff. I’m a family man. I post stuff around my house with my wife and kids. I post stuff with fighting very rarely. I’m doing a little bit more of it now but especially now in the casual phase, it’s all about what your social media looks like.”
Anderson’s frustration is hardly unique in today’s UFC. Fighters like Derrick Lewis have used viral moments—like his infamous “My balls are hot” post-fight interview—to catapult themselves into title fights. “Guys are getting title fights like Derrick Lewis,” Anderson pointed out. “He got a title fight because he went out there and said, ‘My balls are hot.’ He got 2.1 million followers overnight. Guess what they did? Well, right now he’s hot so we’re going to give him a title fight because his social media is booming.”
The shift toward popularity over performance isn’t just anecdotal. The UFC’s matchmaking has increasingly rewarded fighters who bring a ready-made audience, regardless of their position in the rankings. The current buzz around Paddy Pimblett, who’s being discussed as a potential challenger for UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria despite a resume that doesn’t necessarily warrant a title shot, is a case in point. As Anderson sees it, “You don’t even have to be good at fighting anymore… You’ve just got to have good social media.”
Despite the setbacks, Anderson has written a remarkable second act. After his UFC win streak was snapped by a first-round knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz in 2020, Anderson requested his release from the promotion. He quickly signed with Bellator, where he captured the light heavyweight title with a dominant decision win over Karl Moore in 2024. His momentum didn’t stop there; in July 2025, Anderson made a statement in his heavyweight debut, TKO’ing former PFL champion Denis Goltsov at PFL Africa.
Since leaving the UFC, Anderson’s record stands at an impressive 6-1, with one no contest. He’s notched wins over the likes of former two-division champion Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, and Dovlet Yagshimuradov. This October, he’s set to rematch Yagshimuradov for the vacant PFL light heavyweight title at the PFL Champions Series event in Dubai—a testament to his continued relevance at the highest level of the sport.
Even with his success outside the UFC, Anderson feels the shadow of being underrated. “It’s about time people put some respect on my name,” he declared. “I don’t think they ever will but they should. You hear people talking ‘Corey’s this, Corey’s still that, they overpaid.’ What are you talking about? I’ve been here 13 years and I’ve never backed down from nobody. I fought every who’s who there is but Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. I’ve dominated a lot of them. No, I’m not flashy. No, I’m not fancy. But I’m not going to say no to nobody.”
Anderson’s approach is refreshingly old-school. He’s a fighter who lets his performances do the talking, even if it means missing out on the spotlight. When his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, called to offer him the Goltsov fight, Anderson didn’t hesitate. “You know it’s heavyweight right? Give me a contract.” That’s the kind of attitude that’s defined his career—always ready, never ducking a challenge.
As the sport continues to evolve, Anderson’s story is a reminder of what’s at stake in the battle between substance and spectacle. While the UFC’s business model increasingly favors marketable personalities, there are still warriors like Anderson who believe that hard work, skill, and a willingness to fight anyone should count for something. Whether or not he ever gets the mainstream recognition he deserves, Anderson’s legacy as one of MMA’s most underrated competitors is secure.
With a pivotal rematch against Yagshimuradov on the horizon and dreams of facing even bigger names like Francis Ngannou, Anderson’s journey is far from over. As the PFL Champions Series approaches, all eyes will be on Dubai to see if “Overtime” can once again prove that merit, not marketing, is what makes a true champion.
