Anderson was born and raised in Rockton, Illinois, where he started wrestling in the third grade and later on attended Hononegah Community High School.

[5] Upon graduation, he went on to attend Lincoln College in Illinois, where during his first year he was forced to take a redshirt due to an injury in his leg.

As a senior, Anderson compiled 46 victories and just 5 losses and went on to place second at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships[8] (the highest in the school's history),[9] before graduating with a degree in business administration.

After initial refusal, Askren brought Anderson to Roufus MMA by making him think he was going to prepare him for freestyle when it was actually mixed martial arts practice.

Here Corey trained with other professional fighters such as Dustin Jacoby, Benny Alloway, James Brum, Jake Hect, Matt Veach, and Brian Foster.

Following the closing of Fiore MMA, Corey and other fighters opened up The Kennel Fight Club in Springfield, IL.

[11] Anderson was revealed as one of the cast members of the nineteenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, coached by Frankie Edgar and B.J.

He quickly won the bout via TKO just 61 seconds into the first round to become the light heavyweight tournament winner.

[19] A few days later, it was announced that Wilson was forced out of the fight and undefeated newcomer Justin Jones would take his place.

[24] Anderson stepped up to face Fábio Maldonado on November 7, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 77, filling in for an injured Tom Lawlor.

[32] Anderson faced Jimi Manuwa on March 18, 2017, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 107.

[47] During the post fight celebration, Anderson taunted and screamed at Walker and shoved the referee away resulting in a fine of $10,000 from New York State Athletic Commission for "unsportsmanlike and disorderly conduct".

[50] On August 7, 2020, it was announced that Anderson had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA after being granted his release from his UFC contract.

[53] On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Anderson would be competing in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix.

He was scheduled to face promotional newcomer and former Absolute Championship Akhmat Light Heavyweight champion Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradovv in the quarterfinal round on April 9 at Bellator 256.

[59] The fight ended in a no contest after an accidental clash of heads resulted in a cut on Nemkov's left brow that rendered him unable to continue.