It only took 61 seconds for former Hononegah High School wrestler Corey Anderson to earn a contract with the UFC Sunday night.

Anderson defeated Matt Van Buren by technical knockout in the first round during the live finale of the reality TV show, "The Ultimate Fighter," to secure a contract with the mixed martial arts organization.

"I'm very emotional right know," Anderson said during a televised interview following his victory. "I mean I want to cry, but I can't to do it on camera."

The 24-year-old Anderson is a light heavyweight fighter (186-205 lbs.) and was billed as being from Rockford when he was introduced before the fight Sunday. He defeated three opponents during this season of "The Ultimate Fighter" to make his way to the live finale of the mixed martial arts competition.

According to the UFC’s website, Anderson started fighting after he graduated from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2012. He was two-time All-American in wrestling and was most recently the assistant wrestling coach at Lincoln College.

Anderson is a 2007 graduate of Hononegah High School.

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