Brace yourself for a showdown that could rewrite UFC history right here in Las Vegas! The upcoming clash between seasoned warriors Brad Tavares and Eryk Anders at UFC Vegas 114 promises not just thrilling action, but also the chance to claim the crown for the most victories ever in the middleweight division. But here's where it gets controversial—will Tavares finally shatter that elusive record, or will Anders make his retirement one for the ages? Stay tuned as we dive into the details of this epic matchup set for Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the UFC Apex.
Alexander Behunin, our expert handling MMAmania.com's social channels and live UFC coverage, brings you the scoop on interviewing top fighters and capturing the excitement of the sport.
This March, the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, could witness a monumental moment in mixed martial arts history. Brad Tavares, a UFC veteran with 27 fights under his belt, is gearing up for his comeback against another long-time fighter, Eryk Anders, on the UFC Vegas 114 card. MMAJunkie first broke the news of this booking.
Tavares, currently holding a record of 16 wins and 11 losses (16-11), is just one victory away from surpassing Michael Bisping as the fighter with the most UFC wins in the 185-pound middleweight class. Both men are tied at 16 wins right now, so this bout could be Tavares' golden opportunity to etch his name into the record books. He came up short in his most recent fight, suffering a knockout defeat at the hands of Robert Bryczek during UFC Paris (for full results and updates, check out our live coverage here). Before that disappointment, though, Tavares completely dominated Gerald Meerschaert in a standout performance. Lately, his fights have been a rollercoaster—alternating between hard-fought wins and tough losses, which keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
It's worth noting that, despite his impressive career spanning 26 UFC bouts, Tavares has never snagged a coveted Performance of the Night bonus. For beginners, this bonus is like a special shout-out from the UFC, awarded to fighters who deliver exceptionally exciting or dominant performances, often with a financial reward attached. Plus, he shares the record for the most decision wins (14) with Neil Magny—a testament to his ability to outlast opponents in the judges' eyes over five rounds.
On the other side of the cage, Eryk Anders (17-9) is stepping in for what might be his farewell appearance, as his UFC contract is winding down. Known as "Ya Boi," he's retiring after this fight. Anders is rebounding from a knockout loss to Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 109 (relive the highlights of that spinning elbow KO here), but he also has a memorable triumph under his belt: knocking out Chris Weidman at UFC 310 (watch the full fight highlights here). With a UFC record of 9-9-1, Anders is aiming to exit the promotion on a high note, securing a winning streak to cap off his journey.
And this is the part most people miss—while Tavares chases hardware, Anders is fighting for legacy. Could this be a clash of motivations, where record-breaking ambition meets swan-song glory? It's a setup ripe for debate.
So far, the UFC Vegas 114 lineup includes these exciting matchups:
- Gillian Robertson taking on Amanda Lemos
- Eryk Anders versus Brad Tavares
- Lone’er Kavanagh battling Bruno Silva
- Bia Mesquita facing off against Montserrat Rendon
For the complete UFC event schedule and to plan your viewing, head over to our dedicated page here.
What do you think—will Tavares finally claim that record, or is Anders poised for a shocking victory in his final UFC chapter? Does chasing stats trump fighting for personal closure in the octagon? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we'd love to hear your take and spark some lively discussion!
