Anthony Smith
Lionheart
USA
Storied career ends with defeat
Smith lost to Zhang Mingyang via TKO (elbows) at 4:03 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
It was announced in the lead up to this event that this fight would be the 60th and final one of Smith's storied career. It took place just a few hours away from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska with all his family and friends in attendance. The result, while predictable, is irrelevant. Smith got cut on the forehead following an elbow from Zhang and was then finished after repeated unanswered blows late in Round 1. It doesn't really matter. The career of the 36-year-old is even more remarkable when you consider he went just 5-5 in his first 10 pro fights. He fought for Strikeforce, Bellator and had two stints in the UFC. Smith challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship back in March 2019 and had wins over the likes of Alexander Gustafsson, Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans during his time with the company. Enjoy retirement, "Lionheart."
It was announced in the lead up to this event that this fight would be the 60th and final one of Smith's storied career. It took place just a few hours away from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska with all his family and friends in attendance. The result, while predictable, is irrelevant. Smith got cut on the forehead following an elbow from Zhang and was then finished after repeated unanswered blows late in Round 1. It doesn't really matter. The career of the 36-year-old is even more remarkable when you consider he went just 5-5 in his first 10 pro fights. He fought for Strikeforce, Bellator and had two stints in the UFC. Smith challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship back in March 2019 and had wins over the likes of Alexander Gustafsson, Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans during his time with the company. Enjoy retirement, "Lionheart."
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Taking on Zhang in April
Smith will face Mingyang Zhang in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Kansas City on April 26, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
At the end of his last fight, a loss at the hands of Dominick Reyes in December, Smith said it was likely his last. Now, he's got another bout scheduled, a UFC Kansas City clash against the up and coming Zhang, who sits at a perfect 2-0 in the promotion with both his victories coming in the first round. Meanwhile, Smith will be looking to bounce back after two straight losses.
At the end of his last fight, a loss at the hands of Dominick Reyes in December, Smith said it was likely his last. Now, he's got another bout scheduled, a UFC Kansas City clash against the up and coming Zhang, who sits at a perfect 2-0 in the promotion with both his victories coming in the first round. Meanwhile, Smith will be looking to bounce back after two straight losses.
Retirement likely after loss
Smith lost to Dominick Reyes via TKO (strikes) at 4:46 of Round 2 at UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
You can't help but feel for Smith. Determined to push through and fight despite the sudden passing of his longtime coach Scotty Morton last month, "Lionheart" ultimately appeared to be in no shape to compete on this evening. He was totally overwhelmed by Reyes over two rounds. Referee Marc Goddard gave Smith every chance to get on track, but it clearly wasn't happening. Overcome with emotion following the bout, Smith had his team take his gloves off and then confirmed in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that this would likely be the last time we see him in the Octagon. A veteran of nearly 60 fights and a professional since February 2008, Smith has earned his rest.
You can't help but feel for Smith. Determined to push through and fight despite the sudden passing of his longtime coach Scotty Morton last month, "Lionheart" ultimately appeared to be in no shape to compete on this evening. He was totally overwhelmed by Reyes over two rounds. Referee Marc Goddard gave Smith every chance to get on track, but it clearly wasn't happening. Overcome with emotion following the bout, Smith had his team take his gloves off and then confirmed in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that this would likely be the last time we see him in the Octagon. A veteran of nearly 60 fights and a professional since February 2008, Smith has earned his rest.
Set to face Reyes in UFC 310
Smith is set to face Dominick Reyes in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith lost to Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 303 on June 29, and the veteran has been struggling of late with a 2-4 record over his last six fights. The 36-year-old is certainly making his final steps in an octagon and will hope to turn things around here.
Smith lost to Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 303 on June 29, and the veteran has been struggling of late with a 2-4 record over his last six fights. The 36-year-old is certainly making his final steps in an octagon and will hope to turn things around here.
Struggles against Roman Dolidze
Smith lost to Roman Dolidze via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
When you get a fight between two guys that are friendly with each other on extremely short notice, this is the type of bout you are left with. Smith appeared aging and tired throughout the course of the fight. He had competed fought less than two months ago and was likely looking forward to an extended break. Instead, he got Dolidze here and accomplished next to nothing offensively over the course of 15 minutes. On a more positive note, Smith didn't absorb a ton of damage outside of a Round 2 slip which allowed Dolidze to end up in a dominant position on the mat. Smith, who will be 36 years of age in late-July, is closing in on 60 professional fights. He's 2-4 in his past half-dozen bouts and is clearly running out of time.
When you get a fight between two guys that are friendly with each other on extremely short notice, this is the type of bout you are left with. Smith appeared aging and tired throughout the course of the fight. He had competed fought less than two months ago and was likely looking forward to an extended break. Instead, he got Dolidze here and accomplished next to nothing offensively over the course of 15 minutes. On a more positive note, Smith didn't absorb a ton of damage outside of a Round 2 slip which allowed Dolidze to end up in a dominant position on the mat. Smith, who will be 36 years of age in late-July, is closing in on 60 professional fights. He's 2-4 in his past half-dozen bouts and is clearly running out of time.
Dolidze confirmed as opponent
Smith is scheduled to compete against Roman Dolidze in a light heavyweight fight at UFC 303 on June 29, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Dolidze was expected to replace Carlos Ulberg as Smith's opponent, and the expectation has come to fruition. Dolidze is a middleweight going up to light heavyweight, which could be favorable to Smith, a mainstay in the aforementioned division.
Dolidze was expected to replace Carlos Ulberg as Smith's opponent, and the expectation has come to fruition. Dolidze is a middleweight going up to light heavyweight, which could be favorable to Smith, a mainstay in the aforementioned division.