Before UFC 309 on Saturday, former Alabama linebacker Eryk Anders said he was excited to be fighting at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s one of the most prestigious fighting venues there is,” Anders said, “so to have the opportunity to go in there and fight and perform, especially in front of that lively New York crowd, it’s definitely on the bucket list.”

But Anders never entered the Octagon for his bout against former UFC middleweight champion Chris “The All-American” Weidman.

Shortly before the preliminary card started for the lead up to Saturday night’s main event — the heavyweight championship fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic — UFC announced Anders’ bout had been cancelled because of a “medical issue” involving the fighter.

Via his Instagram account, Anders has provided a more detailed explanation for his absence.

“I just wanted to give y’all a little status update,” Anders said on Sunday. “I got food poisoning Friday night. I was up throwing up (expletive) all night Friday night and in the morning Saturday. They made the decision to pull me from the card. Hopefully, we’ll get that fight with Weidman rebooked and rescheduled and get back to it. …

“Thank you, guys, for all the comments and messages and stuff like that. It really means a lot to me. You’ll see me back in there soon.”

Anders also wrote on his post: “Super upset I didn’t get to compete at MSG against a former champ. I seriously doubt that opportunity will come around again, but it is what it is.”

The Anders-Weidman fight was scheduled to be among the four preliminary bouts before the five-fight main card.

“I am super bummed out,” Weidman said on Saturday night. “I felt so good for this fight, so ready. My head is spinning right now that this is happening. I was about to walk into the arena. Just said the prayers with my family. Just felt so good and was so excited to put on a show in Madison Square Garden. I am so gutted.”

Anders most recently fought on March 2 at UFC Fight Night 238. Anders dominated the final round to post a unanimous decision over Jamie “The Nightwolf” Pickett at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Anders has an 8-8 record in the UFC and a 16-8 mark as an MMA professional.

Anders played football at Alabama from 2006 through 2009. In Anders’ final appearance — the BCS national championship game — his fumble-causing sack of Texas quarterback Garret Gilbert gave the Crimson Tide the football at the Longhorns’ 3-yard line while holding a 24-21 lead with 3:02 left in the game.

Anders led Alabama with seven tackles in the 37-21 victory over the Longhorns for the first of coach Nick Saban’s six national titles with the Tide.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.