Corey Anderson calls out Nikita Krylov after feeling disrespected by rankings

ALBANY, N.Y. – Three weeks ago, UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson found a piece of paper with a list of names.

It was a wish-list of opponents after winning “The Ulitmate Fighter 19.” Of those still in the promotion, he’d fought all but one.

Now after a second-round stoppage of Sean O’Connell (17-9 MMA, 2-5 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 102, Anderson wants that last name: Nikita Krylov (21-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC).

“(He) hasn’t beat a ranked opponent,” Anderson (9-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) said backstage at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., which hosted the UFC Fight Pass-streamed event. “I’ve fought three ranked opponents. After I beat the third ranked person, they put me in the rankings. He beats unranked guys, two guys that just signed that were replacement fighters, and they put him in the rankings.

“I felt disrespected. I felt they didn’t take me serious. They felt this kid earned his spot? He’s got to beat the top guys like I did. He’s got to beat the top guys like I did. So if he wants to keep that spot, he better beat me for it.”

There’s just two things keeping Anderson from Krylov: Misha Cirkunov (12-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and UFC matchmakers. The former is set to fight Krylov on the FS1-televised prelims of Saturday’s UFC 206 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. After Anderson’s performance on Friday, the latter might not be much of an issue.

The “TUF 19” winner steamrolled O’Connell, taking him down and pounding on him until a referee intervened in the second round. It was a much-needed rebound after a previous outing against ex-champ, which ended in a loss rather than a career boost.

“It wasn’t against a legend like I wanted, but that was the performance that I wanted,” Anderson said of his win. “I’ve been saying for the last two, three fights, I’ve got to get back to my finishing ways.”

With a new squad of coaches behind him, Anderson said he succeeded with that goal. Taking out another rising star will be his next.

“Nikita was the last person on (the list) that I’ve not fought, and I want him,” he said. “He’s been climbing just like me. He’s right in front of me, and I’ve got a take it.”

Currently, Anderson is an honorable mention in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight rankings. Krylov is No. 13. The fighter newly nicknamed “Overtime” would like to switch places.

Watch the above video to see Anderson’s post-fight interview, and for more on UFC Fight Night 102, check out the UFC Events section of MMAjunkie.