Everything is a learning opportunity where Corey Anderson is concerned. This concept was instilled by his father at a young age and remains a cornerstone to the UFC light heavyweight's foundation today.

Anderson's father also believed in the value of hard work, the importance of kindness and compassion and patience. And while the 27-year-old Illinois native has put the majority of those ideals into practice, it's the latter he's currently working on. There's no doubt the hunger to win and become the champion he's envisioned pushes Anderson to look at his divisional ladder and plot his way to the top, but again, there's a lesson to be learned in everything.

Immediately following his first round knockout loss at the hands of Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 107, the Iron Army representative refused to run from the moment. The bout was his first as a headliner, a chance to cement himself as a legitimate title threat, but ultimately too much too soon as he would acknowledge in the post-fight press conference.

While a setback of that nature would prove damaging for some, Anderson comes equipped with the mindset to build off missteps. And with that in mind The Ultimate Fighter winner is taking his time to round out a game that has been for the most part fast tracked thus far.

“I’m constantly progressing," Anderson told FloCombat. "Every day I wake up I learn something new. I always study film while I’m eating breakfast and always pick up something new. I learn from guys like Ricardo Almeida, Nick Catone, Frankie Edgar, Mark Henry, Edson Barboza--these guys I can pick their brains all the time. And now I’m fortunate enough to train with Rashad Evans.
 
“I’m still developing and that’s why I’m in no rush to fight. I’ve been in the UFC for three and a half years but I’ve only been fighting four years. Four years of my life and it’s time for me to take a break and develop these skills. I’ve never done basic classes. I never knew how to shrimp in jiu-jitsu because I never learned. I was thrown to the wolves and had to figure it out."

With former champion Jon Jones slated to rematch current titleholder Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29, the light heavyweight division is going to experience some of it's largest movement in years. British slugger Manuwa is also on the card, and largely figured to get the next title shot should he find success against Volkan Oezdemir in Anaheim.

Movement in the upper tier of the weight class will open the door for Anderson to make some moves if he can get back on track, and that's exactly what he plans to do before 2017 comes to a close.
 
“One hundred percent I want to get at least one more in," Anderson said. "I have a wedding coming up and want to pay for all that stuff so we are thinking about either October 7 or November 5. They got November right here [Madison Square Garden] and October in Las Vegas. I told my manager whatever one they can get, sign the deal and let’s go."

Although bigger names and stars currently reside above him in the divisional rankings, Anderson isn't detoured from his ultimate goal in the slightest. He's determined to find greatness, and believes what is demanded and worked for will come to fruition.
 
“If you know me then you know nothing is going to stop me. Anything I’ve ever set my mind to get I’m gonna get. I won’t stop until I do.