Tag: Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith On Retirement Fight Coming Against Unranked KO Artist: ‘I Was Very Shocked’

While initially surprised by the matchup chosen to be his last, UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith says he now understands it. Smith announced his plans for one final farewell fight on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage after falling to a third loss in his last four fights in December 2024. He was knocked out by […]

While initially surprised by the matchup chosen to be his last, UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith says he now understands it.

Smith announced his plans for one final farewell fight on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage after falling to a third loss in his last four fights in December 2024. He was knocked out by Dominick Reyes at UFC 310, a result that came five months on from another setback to middleweight contender Roman Dolidze.

With that, 2025 will mark the year in which “Lionheart” retires. And he’ll do so opposite a curious choice of opposition.

It was recently announced that Smith will hang up the gloves at UFC Kansas City this coming April, where he’ll meet an opponent who rides a streak of 11 first-round finishes in the form of Chinese prospect Zhang Mingyang.

During the latest episode of his On Paper podcast, Smith admitted to being “shocked” at first when the bout was presented to him. But while many see him as the UFC’s sacrificial lamb as the promotion looks to build the “Mountain Tiger,” the 36-year-old former title challenger doesn’t see it that way.

“I didn’t have any suggestions, but I was very shocked with the matchup, for sure,” Smith said. “That wasn’t a bad thing, I just was not expecting that one, but once I kind of looked into him a little bit and sat on it, it makes a lot of sense why they would go in that direction.

“I have a lot of conversations with these guys — and if they did (book the fight for Zhang to win), they’re probably not going to tell me — but Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have always told me that they don’t care who wins. They want good fights. They want interesting matchups. And they put people in positions and it’s up to you to do what you what you do with it,” Smith continued. “Of course, we can think of people that were favorably matched and put in some better positions than others, but I’ve known Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby and those guys a really long time and they’ve always been pretty straight-up with me, even in times that I don’t like it.”

UFC Kansas City remains without a main event as of now, but names like Giga Chikadze, Michel Pereira, and Ikram Aliskerov are among those slated to join Smith’s retirement fight on the April 26 lineup.

Anthony Smith Calls UFC Legend Two-Faced in Heated Rant “Week Before They Were Calling Him a Cuck”

Anthony Smith Calls UFC Legend Two-Faced in Heated Rant "Week Before They Were Calling Him a Cuck"The ongoing feud between UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith and former MMA champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has escalated, with…

Anthony Smith Calls UFC Legend Two-Faced in Heated Rant "Week Before They Were Calling Him a Cuck"

The ongoing feud between UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith and former MMA champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has escalated, with both fighters exchanging sharp remarks in recent days.

Anthony Smith Calls Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Two-Faced

Anthony Smith recently criticized Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, accusing him of creating a toxic environment for fighters on his Jaxxon Podcast. He stated:

“You bring fighters on, you s–t on them. It happened to me you brought me on you’re super cool to me. I had a good time. I love Rampage, he’s my favorite fighter. You bring me on I have an amazing time and several months later you’re on there with Dillashaw making fun of me. It’s their thing, that’s what they do. They are just not great to fighters, they did the same s–t to Ian Garry when he was supposed to go on the show, and the week before they were calling him a cuck. I don’t like that.”

In response, Jackson fired back on social media, posting a video where he bluntly told Smith to “shut his mouth,” claiming that Smith had no idea what he was talking about.

Anthony Smith is a US-born fighter who competes in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division. Smith began his professional MMA career in 2008, fighting in regional promotions before joining Strikeforce and later the UFC. Despite early setbacks, he gained prominence after moving to the light heavyweight division in 2018, earning notable wins against Rashad Evans, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, and Alexander Gustafsson. Smith also challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2019 but fell short via unanimous decision. Over his career, he has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses for his exciting finishes.

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is a retired American MMA legend and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Jackson rose to fame during his tenure with Pride FC in Japan, where his aggressive style and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite. After transitioning to the UFC, he unified the Pride and UFC Light Heavyweight titles by defeating Dan Henderson in 2007. Known for his iconic slams and knockout power, Jackson’s career highlights include victories over legends like Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. Outside of MMA, he has also appeared in movies and professional wrestling.

While Anthony Smith has voiced concerns over the treatment of fighters on platforms like the JAXXON Podcast, Jackson has defended his approach, emphasizing his intentions to maintain authenticity. The escalating feud between Anthony Smith and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson continues to create tension.

rashad evans rampage jackson

UFC Squashes Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith’s Power Slap Dreams

UFC Squashes Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith's Power Slap DreamsDon’t expect to see Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith step up to the Power Slap podium anytime soon. Having lost three…

UFC Squashes Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith's Power Slap Dreams

Don’t expect to see Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith step up to the Power Slap podium anytime soon.

Having lost three of his last bouts inside the Octagon, Smith is gearing up for what will be the final fight of his career. During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the one-time UFC title challenger revealed that the promotion promptly shut down the possibility of him competing at a Power Slap event.

“I tried. They told me no,” Smith told Helwani. “Straight up, I asked Hunter [Campbell] and he told me no. He wouldn’t even bring it to Dana. I don’t know. He said no.”

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While Power Slap has received its fair share of criticism from fighters and fans alike, ‘Lionheart’ has been one of the few to express his love for the sport.

“I cannot get enough of the Power Slap League,” Smith said on MMA on Sirius XM in February 2023. “My body is ready for a pay-per-view. I will pay for it. I don’t care how much it costs. I’ll pre-pay. I’ll pre-pay the next 10. I love it. I don’t know why. I can’t give you a reason – maybe because I was there during the pilot of it and I’ve seen it in person.”

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‘Lionheart’ ready to give it one more go inside the octagon

While we may never see Anthony Smith slap the sh*t out of someone on Rumble, we’ll at least get to see the perennial light heavyweight contender compete once more before laying down his gloves for good.

“It’s one more,” Smith said. “Win, lose, or draw, that’s it.”

No opponent has been announced, but Smith did confirm that his last stand will go down this April.

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‘Hope He Has Good People Around Him’ – Fans React To Anthony Smith Revealing Request To Compete In Power Slap After UFC Retirement

Following his second consecutive loss at UFC 310 last month, Anthony Smith suggested that it may be the final time that he steps inside the Octagon. “Lionheart” was incredibly emotional in that moment but the decision to put a full stop on his career is something that fans have expected for some time with Dana […]

Following his second consecutive loss at UFC 310 last month, Anthony Smith suggested that it may be the final time that he steps inside the Octagon. “Lionheart” was incredibly emotional in that moment but the decision to put a full stop on his career is something that fans have expected for some time with Dana White even saying after the event that he hoped it would be the end of the line.

It was clear from his walk out in Las Vegas on December 7 that the former light heavyweight title challenger wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be competing following the loss of a very close friend and former cornerman. He was stopped by Dominick Reyes in the second round but after having some time to reflect on the fight, he recently announced on The Ariel Helwani Show that he has a fight scheduled for April that will allow him to go out on his own terms.

“Yeah, it’s one more. Win, lose, or draw, that’s going to be it.”

During the same interview, Smith also said that he had inquired about the possibility of competing in a different arena once he lays the gloves down. Rather than swapping them for boxing gloves like several high-profile names have in recent times, the 36-year old was interesting in abandoning them for good by stepping into Power Slap.

Smith said that after posing the question to the UFC’s Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell, his request was denied. Considering that he he will have 59 pro MMA bouts under his belt by the end of April, this could be to stop other fighters who are at the end of their careers from taking more damage.

“Dude, I tried. They told me no, straight up. I asked Hunter, he told me no. He wouldn’t even bring it to Dana.”

Fight fans reacted on social media to Smith’s statement with a lot of messages from people who want the best for him.

“I sincerely hope he’s okay. I was worried about him after his last fight.”

“No one wants to see that :(“

“no plz… he got kids and family”

“Glad the UFC is looking out for him because doing Power Slap would be horrible for him. He already has his next job in the media secured.”

“On and off paper, this is for the best”

“I hope he has good people around him. He seems extremely troubled.”

Anthony Smith Maintains Jon Jones Is P4P Best Because Islam Makhachev ‘Has Taken A Legitimate Loss’

When it comes to the ever-polarizing pound-for-pound debate between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev, UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is in the corner of his former opponent. This past weekend, Makhachev did no harm to his claim to top spot, where he already currently sits in the official UFC rankings. The Dagestani secured a […]

When it comes to the ever-polarizing pound-for-pound debate between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev, UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is in the corner of his former opponent.

This past weekend, Makhachev did no harm to his claim to top spot, where he already currently sits in the official UFC rankings. The Dagestani secured a record-breaking fourth successful defense of his lightweight belt and fifth UFC title win at the expense of Renato Moicano.

One man who has long been against that has been UFC CEO Dana White, instead putting forth heavyweight kingpin Jones as the clear and obvious P4P number one.

Interestingly, despite Moicano being a lower-ranked and late-notice replacement opponent for Makhachev after the withdrawal of Arman Tsarukyan, White finally acknowledged Makhachev as the P4P best while interacting with the media in Los Angeles.

During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, though, Smith dismissed that take owing to one discrepancy when it comes to Jones and Makhachev’s record — one “legitimate” defeat.

“I still think it’s Jon Jones,” Smith said. “He’s gone through three different generations of fighters and has continued to win. And again, Islam has taken a legitimate loss and Jon Jones hasn’t.

“I think you take them all and put them in a room, Jon Jones walks out,” Smith concluded.

Makhachev’s sole career loss came a decade ago at UFC 192, where he was knocked out cold by Adriano Martins.

On paper, Jones boasts the same number of setbacks. But the importance of that has long been dismissed in MMA circles due to it coming via disqualification for a now-legal 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill in 2009.

Anthony Smith Maintains Jon Jones Is P4P Best Because Islam Makhachev ‘Has Taken A Legitimate Loss’

When it comes to the ever-polarizing pound-for-pound debate between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev, UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is in the corner of his former opponent. This past weekend, Makhachev did no harm to his claim to top spot, where he already currently sits in the official UFC rankings. The Dagestani secured a […]

When it comes to the ever-polarizing pound-for-pound debate between Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev, UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is in the corner of his former opponent.

This past weekend, Makhachev did no harm to his claim to top spot, where he already currently sits in the official UFC rankings. The Dagestani secured a record-breaking fourth successful defense of his lightweight belt and fifth UFC title win at the expense of Renato Moicano.

One man who has long been against that has been UFC CEO Dana White, instead putting forth heavyweight kingpin Jones as the clear and obvious P4P number one.

Interestingly, despite Moicano being a lower-ranked and late-notice replacement opponent for Makhachev after the withdrawal of Arman Tsarukyan, White finally acknowledged Makhachev as the P4P best while interacting with the media in Los Angeles.

During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, though, Smith dismissed that take owing to one discrepancy when it comes to Jones and Makhachev’s record — one “legitimate” defeat.

“I still think it’s Jon Jones,” Smith said. “He’s gone through three different generations of fighters and has continued to win. And again, Islam has taken a legitimate loss and Jon Jones hasn’t.

“I think you take them all and put them in a room, Jon Jones walks out,” Smith concluded.

Makhachev’s sole career loss came a decade ago at UFC 192, where he was knocked out cold by Adriano Martins.

On paper, Jones boasts the same number of setbacks. But the importance of that has long been dismissed in MMA circles due to it coming via disqualification for a now-legal 12-6 elbow against Matt Hamill in 2009.