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There’s mutual agreement on a fight, just not the location.
Anthony Smith has been a globe trekker in several of his recent bouts, and he’s not going to continue that trend for his next bout.
The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger has been called out by fellow former title challenger Glover Teixeira, who told MMA Fighting that he wants to fight him in the main event of UFC Brasilia in March.
Smith likes the fight, he just doesn’t like the location.
“There ain’t no damn way I’m going to Brazil,” Smith said (via MMA Fighting).
“I’m probably the only guy that’s going to give him a main event right now, because any other fight he takes is going to end up on the undercard,” he said. “So if he gets that, he and I being in a main event somewhere, I think it’s fair we keep it in the states.
“I live in the Midwest, he lives on the East Coast,” Smith continued. “It makes no sense for us to go to Brazil. And to be honest with you, he gets an advantage there.”
“Lionheart” (32-14) is coming off a submission victory over Alexander Gustafsson in Gustafsson’s home country of Sweden. Of course, Smith’s last trip to Brazil didn’t go too well, as Thiago Santos stopped him with a body kick in Belem. Overall, three of Smith’s last four bouts have taken place outside the United States.
As for Teixeira (30-7), the 40-year-old Brazilian has won three straight, including a unanimous decision over Nikita Krylov in September. He’s also submitted Karl Roberson and Ion Cutelaba during his winning streak, as he aims for one more title shot.
Smith has been out of action since the Gustafsson fight, with surgery on his broken hand causing him to miss the rest of this year. He’s been hugely successful since moving up to 205 lbs, boasting a 4-1 record with that lone defeat coming to Jon Jones. Whether the Teixeira fight happens or not, Smith says he’s likely to return in April, saying his manager is “working on” what’s next for him.