Anthony Smith handing his tooth to the referee. | Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
Anthony Smith was also in the middle of controversial MMA cornering recently.
Anthony Smith, who was previously the focal point of a hot button issue about MMA cornermen not stopping fights and protecting their athletes, weighed in on Robert Drysdale’s similarly controversial coaching last Saturday.
A month ago, the former UFC light heavyweight title contender vehemently defended his coaches’ decision to not stop his fight against Glover Teixeira, despite him losing teeth and getting badly beaten up. He also called the referee a coward for apologizing for not stopping the contest himself.
On last Saturday’s issue though, Smith thinks Drysdale should’ve called off the fight as Max Rohskopf repeatedly said that he’s done.
“It was frustrating to watch,” Smith told TMZ. “I think that the reaction from fighters and fans was more frustrating.
“I get it, the kid is young, he’s facing adversity possibly for the first real time in his career. He thinks he doesn’t have it or maybe he needs encouragement. But I believe he asked out 9 times! This isn’t goddamn Bloodsport!”
Smith previously stated that his cornermen are never allowed to throw in the towel for him, and anyone who would do that is a “liability” and wouldn’t be welcome in his team again. He considers this a different situation though.
“Not all of us think the same,” Smith continued. “Not everybody is me. It’s just different. He’s a young kid and he wanted out, get him the f—k out of there! He wanted to go home. He said he didn’t have it. He said he didn’t want to do this any more.
“That’s different from just being down on yourself and needing a pick me up. That’s way deeper than that. And then to see fans and other fighters stood behind Drysdale? Listen, I respect Drysdale as much as anyone in the game. That guy is a pioneer in the jiu-jitsu world, I’m a huge fan of his. But, he messed up. He messed up. That needs to be said.
“If you say I want out, and I want to quit. That’s your decision. You should be allowed to do that. Whether or not he was afraid that his fighter was going to regret it after that, that’s another deal,” he said. “That’s on him. I don’t think that’s Drysdale’s spot.”