Derek Anderson

Derek Anderson (born February 20, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist competing in the Welterweight division. He is most notable for his time with Bellator MMA,

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Anderson began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 19, and later made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2011. Anderson compiled an undefeated record of 9-0 with one no contest before being signed by Bellator.

Bellator MMA Anderson made his promotional debut against Patricky Freire at Bellator 98 on September 7, 2013. Anderson won via unanimous decision.

Anderson was then scheduled to face Terry Etim in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament on March 21, 2014 at Bellator 113. Etim then pulled out due to an ACL injury. Etim was replaced by Brandon Girtz. Anderson won via knockout due to a knee strike in the second round. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Anderson next faced Brent Primus at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. He lost the fight by split decision.

In the first rematch of his career, Anderson faced Patricky Freire for a second time on December 4, 2015 at Bellator 147. He again won the fight, this time by split decision.

A welterweight bout between Anderson and Paul Daley at Bellator 163 was scrapped on the day of the event after Daley fell ill from effects of his weight cut.

Anderson faced Saad Awad at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. In a back-and-forth affair, in which both fighters traded near submission finishes, Anderson ultimately won the fight via unanimous decision.

Anderson faced Derek Campos at Bellator 170 on January 21, 2017. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Anderson was expected to face Michael Page at Bellator 179 on May 19, 2017 but Page suffered a knee injury and neck injury. No replacement opponent was sought.

Anderson was expected to return against Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 189 on December 1, 2017. However, an injury to Anderson forced him out of the bout and he was replaced by David Rickels.

Anderson made his welterweight debut against Guilherme Bomba on October 4, 2019 at Bellator 229. He won via unanimous decision.

Anderson was expected to headline Bellator London 2 against Michael Page on 23 November 2019 but Anderson withdrew for undisclosed reasons on 12 November 2019.

Anderson was then scheduled again to face Paul Daley at Bellator 247 on October 1, 2020. However, Daley was not unable to make weight and was hospitalized, leading to the bout being scrapped.

Anderson faced Killys Mota on November 5 at Bellator 251. He won the bout via second round knockout.

Anderson faced Michael Page at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021. Anderson was supposed to fight Page twice before at Bellator 179 and Bellator London 2. Towards the end of the first round, Page landed a kick to Anderson's face which badly broke his nose to the point it was completely flattened, leading to the doctor stopping the fight between rounds.

He was suspended 120 days (4 months) by the Mohegan Sun Department of Athletic Regulation for falsifying his pre-fight medical forms after Anderson failed to disclose that he went to the hospital four times for kidney failure during his fight camp.

Anderson was scheduled to face Goiti Yamauchi on March 12, 2022 at Bellator 276. The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.

Anderson was scheduled to face former two-time Glory Welterweight Champion Cédric Doumbé at Bellator Champions Series 2 on May 17, 2024. However, he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that severely injured his left foot and withdrew from the bout.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Michael Page TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 258

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Killys Mota KO (head kick) Bellator 251

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Guilherme Vasconcelos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 229

Temecula, California, United States Win

Zak Bucia Decision (unanimous) Bellator 197

St. Charles, Missouri, United States Loss

Derek Campos Decision (unanimous) Bellator 170

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 160

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Patricky Pitbull Decision (split) Bellator 147

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Brent Primus Decision (split) Bellator 141

Temecula, California, United States Win

Danny Navarro TKO (punches) Bellator 132

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Marcin Held Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 117

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Brandon Girtz KO (knee) Bellator 113

Mulvane, Kansas, United States Win

Patricky Pitbull Decision (unanimous) Bellator 98

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Craig Flynn TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series: Aftermath

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California United States Win

Ray Carter Submission (armbar) Xplode Fight Series: Revancha

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States NC

Aaron Neveu No Contest (overturned) Xplode Fight Series: Damage

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Edward Darby Submission (armbar) Xplode Fight Series: Anarchy

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Kris Armbrister Submission (guillotine choke) Xplode Fight Series: Eclipse

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Dino Valdez Submission (guillotine choke) Xplode Fight Series: Disarm

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Jeremy Michur TKO (knee) Xplode Fight Series: Brutal Conduct

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Chris Mercado TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings 3

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Dominique Chisem Submission (guillotine choke) Xplode Fight Series: Hillside Havoc

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States Win

Leo Franklin Submission (rear-naked choke) Xplode Fight Series: Rumble off the Reservation

San Pasqual Indian Reservation, California, United States