The last time Austria won an IMMAF world title was in 2014 – when the organisation’s very first event took place. This was the case until last year, when 21-year-old Elias Erber captured gold at the 2023 European Championships.
A relentless grappler, Erber holds an amateur record of 19:4, which he plans to improve upon this weekend at the 2024 European Championships.
Speaking exclusively to Combat Sports UK’s Taylor Collard, the Austrian reflected upon his success last year, as well as his goals in the short and long term.
Elias Erber Talks Trials and Tribulations of the 2023 IMMAF Championships
For the first time in nine years, Erber secured a championship for his home nation of Austria. ‘No Time’ did not have a smooth sailing journey to this historic achievement, however. Missing coaches and mental fortitude all played a part in his story.
“Mentally it was really hard because the preparation wasn’t the best. One week before the competition started, I got the information that my trainer couldn’t come to the first fight. So the first fight against the Greek guy was really hard for me, but I got it done.”
“After doing something like that you get mentally stronger and from then on, day to day my confidence grew.”
Erber submitted Greek representative Ioannis Marathias in the third round to open up his title bid. He then went on to submit Ukraine’s Vladyslav Hryshyn and TKO Tajikistan’s Umar Safarov – stringing together 3 consecutive finishes.
The Austrian admitted that the Safarov fight was one of the toughest fights in his career so far.
‘I think that the Safarov fight was definitely my hardest fight in this competition. I lost the first round but I felt him slowing down and at the end of the second round, I was able to finish him.
“In the past, it happened a lot that I lost the first round but if the round goes on, I always get stronger. That was definitely one of my hardest fights so far.”
Extensive Amateur Career and Pro-Plans
At only 21 years of age Erber has fought a staggering 23 times as an amateur. Despite a 19:4 record and a world championship to his name, he has no plans of turning pro anytime soon.
He explained how crucial it is to obtain experience as a fighter, and how he is eager to avoid the errors of fellow athletes.
“I think it’s very important to get a lot of experience before you turn pro. I think a lot of young amateurs make the mistake of rushing too much to want to go pro. I definitely want to do the European Championships. Maybe I have to talk with my coaches but the (IMMAF) World Championships as well.”
When he does make his move to the professional circuit, ‘No Time’, ironically, plans to continue the patient approach that he has taken so far.
“When I go pro I want to take my time. I don’t want to go to a big promotion straight away, I want to work my way up. The end goal is definitely to go to the UFC, but I only want to go to the UFC if I really, really deserve it – if I know I’m on that level.”
“I know I’m not on that level yet, I have a lot to learn but with patience and with time I definitely think I can go to the UFC.”
What Lies Ahead in 2024
Admittedly Erber says that he tries not to look too far into the future. Next on his agenda is recapturing the same title he won back in 2023, then potentially moving on to the World Championships.
Now a world champion, he has raised his expectations of himself. Anything but another title will be in his eyes – a loss.
“I don’t look too much into the future. I definitely want to get the gold medal now that I’m the world champion. I think if I don’t get the gold medal at the European Championships, It’s automatically a loss for me. There’s always a lot of pressure, but now there’s even more pressure because I have the golden uniform now.”
When asked whether or not he eyes securing even more finishes than last year, he remained adamant that he would stay composed inside the cage.
“3 or even 4 finishes would be very nice, but I’m not going to rush it and make silly mistakes. If the finish presents itself I’ll definitely go for it, but I won’t rush it. But it would be very nice to top that.”
