John Phillips to debut against Eryk Anders at UFC Fresno

Welsh knockout artist John Phillips (21-6) will make his long awaited UFC debut against unbeaten middleweight standout Eryk Anders (9-0) on Dec. 9 at UFC Fresno.

The UFC made the fight official on Wednesday through their social networks, after Anders broke the news on his Instagram account on Tuesday.

Phillips was signed by the UFC last December, but never made it to his promotional debut against Marcos Rogerio de Lima due to visa issues. The bout was slated for the UFC on Fox 23: Shevchenko vs. Pena card that took place on Jan. 28.

“The White Mike Tyson” picked up his last loss to TUF Redemption winner Jesse Taylor back in 2013 with Cage Warriors, but he has since recorded four consecutive knockouts, including one over his SBG teammate and former UFC fighter Charlie Ward.

Last June, Anders became the inaugural LFA middleweight champion by beating Brendan Allen. A month later, the undefeated 30-year-old recorded an emphatic promotional debut against Brazilian Rafael Natal when he was called up on short notice to replace Alessio Di Chirico at UFC on Fox 25: Weidman vs. Gastelum.

The former Alabama linebacker buckled the prominent middleweight with two left hands that sent him hurtling to the canvas before the referee stepped in to stop the action less than three minutes into the clash.