Middleweight Eryk Anders needed just 40 seconds to earn his first professional MMA victory on August 22nd. The former University of Alabama linebacker dispatched Josh Raspberry at Strikehard 40 in his home state of Alabama. But according to Anders, making the leap from amateur to pro wasn’t that big of a difference. “Nothing really changes for me” Anders told MMAOddsBreaker. “I’ve approached my amateur career [the same way] with the training regiments, the diet. It was really satisfying, it was a good win. It’s hard to argue a 40 second knockout. But I’m my toughest critic and I saw little holes, some mistakes that a future opponent could potentially capitalize on. Definitely got some holes to fix.” Anders (1-0) and teammate Omar Johnson both emerged as winners on the Strikehard 40 card on August 22nd. Like Anders, Johnson was also a former collegiate football player who has made the transition to MMA. Having him as a training partner and mentor has proved invaluable, especially when it comes to making adjustments in his skillset. “It’s great to have Omar around, he’s definitely one of the best. He’s a former football player as well and with that comes film study. He helps me mimic my opponents and I really think we really benefit each other around the gym.” In keeping with that collegiate football mentality, Anders didn’t waste any time getting back to training. Coming out of that middleweight encounter unscaved, the Spartan MMA and Fitness product returned to training immediately after his victory. “I enjoyed that win, I have a 24-hour rule, go out celebrate, pat yourself on the back for 24 hours. After that go right back to the gym and keep that nose to the grindstone. I got up that morning, went for a four mile jog. Stretched out a little bit to get the soreness out. I was back in the gym on Monday. I’m also competing in the Atlanta Open, jiu-jitsu competition this week. I just love to compete in whatever it is.” Fresh off his first professional victory, Anders doesn’t have his next fight lined up yet nor does he have any opponents on his radar. “[I’m looking to fight] in a month or so, maybe October. I don’t have anything in the works yet but hopefully something comes through in October. I leave it up to my management. It doesn’t matter to me, I’m a send me the contract kind of guy. The name of my opponent is irrelevant to me. I’m just going to get in there, do what I got to do and know that I got to get the win.” In the meantime, with college football and the NFL regular season around the corner, the 28-year old is glad to have something to enjoy during his downtime. “I’m excited actually have something to watch TV. It’s about the only time I watch anything on TV is watch a game or two. It’s exciting how the landscape of college football has shifted. I’m don’t watch NFL teams [specifically] I watch the players not necessarily the teams.” You can follow Eryk on Twitter/Instagram @erykanders and he’s like to thank his sponsors inVision Ophalmology, Advanced Caption Technology and Tap Inc. He’d also think to thank his coach Chris Connelly and team at Spartan MMA and Fitness. You can listen to the full audio version of this interview (22 mins in) on an “Extra” edition of The Parting Shot Podcast.